A MAN who caused �2,000 worth of flood damage to a house in Clifton after gutting it of its copper pipe work was jailed on Thursday.

Thirty-one-year-old Jason Hill, of Hoover Place, Chicksands, stripped the empty house of all the copper pipe work and a hot water cylinder on Thursday, June 23.

The owner then returned two days later to see his property flooded.

Hill, who was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison by Bedford magistrates, was caught after a suspicious white van was spotted by Bedfordshire Police’s helicopter. It was later stopped by police officers in Letchworth GC, with subsequent police enquiries leading to the defendant.

Hill was then arrested and interviewed on June 29 in relation to the crime. He pleaded guilty to the burglary.

Detective Constable Surinder Ram of Bedfordshire Police’s priority crime team said: “We are committed to reducing the number of burglaries and other crimes in Central Bedfordshire.

“At the present time, we are looking at other similar offences in the Chicksands area.”

?* Police are investigating a number of other similar incidents in the area over the last two months, including three burglaries and a number of thefts. Items stolen include copper piping, tanks, ladders, and wheelbarrows.

Anyone with information can contact Pc Jo Barkat on 01234 841212