A WOMAN stole £30,000 of jewellery from a Southampton home while the family were away on holiday.

Leah Bellows broke into property, in Marne Road, Bitterne, between March 30 and April 2 this year.

The 34-year-old stole jewellery worth approximately £30,000, as well as £1,200 in cash, a number of handbags and purses worth approximately £1,000.

Bellows also stole an electronic tablet, more than £620 of tobacco, aftershaves and perfumes worth more than £400 and a Dyson hair dryer worth £320.

Southampton Crown Court heard the homeowners were away on holiday at the time.

The burglary was discovered by a family member who went to check on the property while they were away.

Police arrested Bellows after a neighbour gave a witness account to police saying they had seen a woman matching her description at the back of the property.

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court last week, Bellows, of no fixed address was jailed for 18 months.