A DAFT burglar who hid behind a tree from police has been jailed for nine months.

Homeless Ionel Radut, 39, was found with socks over his hands and a bag full of goods in his victim’s garden on August 18.

Radut snatched two iPhones, an iPod, a bumbag and £226 in cash from the property in Black Horse Way, Horsham, late at night. He was caught after an onlooker noticed his suspicious behaviour and called police.

Radut pleaded guilty to burglary dwelling with intent to steal at Lewes Crown Court last Wednesday.

Detective Constable Rebecca Buckley, of Sussex Police, said: “We would like to praise the member of the public for calling us without delay to report the suspicious behaviour.”