A Stonesfield man has been sentenced to more than two years in jail after burgling a home by reaching through a letterbox for keys.

Graham Crutch, from Longore, was convicted on Wednesday at Oxford Crown Court after pleading guilty to one count of burglary dwelling and one count of burglary non dwelling.

The 26-year-old was sentenced to two years and five months’ in jail.

The court heard that at about 9.30pm on June 24 Crutch stole shed keys from a house in Churchfields by reaching through the letterbox and taking them from a key hook.

He then used the keys to enter a shed in the victims’ garden.

One of the victims went to the shed and found Crutch, who then escaped by running away and jumping over the fence into a neighbour’s garden.

Crutch was arrested on the same day and charged with the offences.

Speaking following the sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Kevin Middlecote, from Witney Local Area CID, said: “Burglary is a deeply invasive crime and understandably has an impact upon those who are victims and local communities.

“While in this case the occupant courageously approached the offender, I would urge members of the public not to put themselves at risk and instead to call police if you are a victim of a burglary in progress.

Thames Valley Police investigates burglaries thoroughly to ensure offenders are brought to justice, as has happened in this case.”