Edward Parker, 40, jailed for 8 weeks after stealing dog food and £20 cash from Vauxhall Combo on Penwood Road, south of Newbury, on July 25, 2024

A man has been jailed for eight weeks after pleading guilty to smashing a car window and stealing dog food and £20 in cash from inside.

Edward Parker, 40, of no fixed abode, used an orange car safety hammer to smash the window of a Vauxhall Combo on Penwood Road, south of Newbury.

He then stole a bag which contained the dog food and cash at around 11.15am on July 25 last year.

Police officers launched an investigation and made an arrest.

Parker was later charged with theft from a motor vehicle and driving while disqualified.

He pleaded guilty to both offences and was jailed for eight weeks at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Thursday, January 30.

Basingstoke rural PC Simon Denton said: “The victim in this case had parked her car at a local beauty spot and returned to find that her window had been smashed and items had been stolen.

“I hope this result sends a message that we take incidents like this extremely seriously, and we do all we can to ensure offenders face the consequences of their actions.

“Theft from motor vehicles offences are often opportunistic. Offenders will try door handles to see if it’s been left unlocked or smash windows to grab items left inside.

“Thieves aren’t picky, they will take whatever is there and look at it later to see if it’s of any value.

“We know people do not intentionally leave belongings in cars, however please double check that nothing has been left behind.”

A Hampshire police spokesperson urged anyone affected by these sorts of crimes to report any incident to the police as every piece of information helps them build up their intelligence picture.

They said: “Every report is reviewed and tells us what is going on and where so we can plan and target our resources better.

“To make a report contact us on 101 or online via our website at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/

“If a crime is in progress, please call 999.”