A BURGLAR who stole underwear and was accused of masturbating in the victim’s bed has been jailed for 18 months.

Hereford Crown Court heard Andre Osokin stole two laptops, a radio and underwear from a ground floor flat in Belmont Road, Hereford on January 9.

The 31-year-old, of no fixed abode, used a key to enter the property, which he had in his possession from when he formerly lived at the flat.

The victim, who was not known to Osokin, had packed all her possessions in boxes as she was due to move out, and Osokin carried out an untidy search, throwing items across the flat.

The court heard that the victim of the burglary believed Osokin masturbated in her bed during the crime, but this was denied by Osokin, who said he was drunk and admitted that he may have fallen asleep while there.

He pleaded guilty to four counts- burglary, fraud by false representation, possession of false identity documents with improper intent and possession of cannabis.

Harpreet Sandhu, prosecuting, said Osokin also stole a DVD player, jewellery and post addressed to the victim.

Mr Sandhu said Osokin then used false identity cards to sell the stolen laptops and radio at the CeX entertainment exchange store and Cash Generator store in Hereford.

The day after the burglary Osokin was seen acting suspiciously at the Stirling Estate in Hereford.

Military police were called at 9.15pm and Osokin started to run away. He was chased before he stopped and he was asked for his details.

Osokin, who is from Estonia, produced a fake ID card and told them he was from Latvia. He said he was lost and looking for his friend.

The officers tried to help him find his friend before they searched Osokin’s rucksack and found some of the stolen items.

He was taken into custody and searched and a small bag of cannabis was found in his sock.

CCTV footage was taken from the CeX store. Both laptops were recovered.

Mark Thompson, defending, said these were his first convictions and asked the judge to take into account his early guilty plea.

He said Osokin had moved to the UK two and a half years ago and had been in employment until the beginning of January.

Osokin was sentenced to 18 months in prison. He had been in custody since January 12, which will be taken into account in his sentence.