A burglar who targeted businesses in Rustington and Littlehampton has been jailed for one year.
37-year-old John McCarthy, formerly of East Street in Littlehampton, smashed windows to gain access to a café, a barber shop, a restaurant, and two charity shops, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
McCarthy was identified wearing a distinctive yellow coat on CCTV, which eventually led to his arrest.
At Crawley Magistrates’ Court, he was sentenced to a total of one year in prison for the five offences.
The court was told about how the Lemon Grass restaurant, Fig Café & Tapas and Clipper Street in The Street, Rustington, were all targeted in the early hours of 14 January.
A member of the public reported seeing a man in a yellow coat and called the police.
A number of windows were smashed and a small quantity of cash was reported stolen.
Then in the early hours of 22 January, McCarthy broke into charity shops Link to Hope and St Barnabas House in Anchor Springs, Littlehampton.
A charity collection box from St Barnabas House was found in his room.
Speaking after the case, Inspector Christopher Bryant said: “We recognise the impact crimes such as these can have on businesses and the local community.
“We are grateful for the support the public showed in sharing our appeal and coming forward with information to assist our investigation.
“It helped ensure that we secured evidence and built such a strong case that McCarthy had no choice but to plead guilty in court.
“I am pleased that a prolific offender has received a significant custodial sentence in this case.”
Shops evacuated in Chichester
Travel chaos as Portsmouth to Fishbourne Ferry disrupted by breakdown during half term break
Appeal after burglary in Kingston, near Lewes
Criticism by Portsmouth Councillor on local government change
Compensation finally paid to Arundel couple
Dog attacks increase on livestock in the South
RNLI in Sussex on recruitment drive
Wates House asylum seekers plan in Fareham undecided
A police operation has reduced drug-linked offences in Crawley by more than half
Bognor man jailed after smashing car windows
On Air