Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland have welcomed a sentence of over four years which was handed to a man in Antrim Crown Court on Tuesday, November 8, following a burglary in Antrim last year.

Eamon Murphy (26) was sentenced to two years and eight months following the burglary in The Fairways area of the town in September 2021.

A further sentence of 18 months was imposed consecutively in relation to two breached suspended sentences.

The total of 50 months is to be split, with half served in custody and half on licence.

Detective Sergeant Lyttle said: "Murphy was arrested and charged after the occupant of a property in the area woke in the early hours of the morning to find a man rummaging through his bedroom before the suspect escaped through a window. A number of items, including electronic equipment, power tools and jewellery were taken.

"Murphy was identified from a DNA examination of a baseball cap which was pulled from his head as he fled the property.

"I hope that the charges and subsequent sentence will reassure the communities we serve that we will continue to work tirelessly to detect and prevent crime, and bring those responsible to justice.

"This sentencing sends a strong message to anyone considering becoming involved in crime that it is simply not worth the consequences that come with a life changing prison sentence."