A SCAR-FACED thief is spending his new year behind bars after he was caught breaking into cars just days after appearing in court.

Christopher Light was found rummaging through a car glovebox in the Broadbridge Heath area of Horsham.

The 42-year-old was seen in Ellis Road and was challenged by a neighbour.

Two off-duty police officers were told about it, and arrested Light. It was revealed he committed the crime while on an electronic tag.

Light had appeared in court just six days earlier and was sentenced for four counts of vehicle interference.

When he was arrested on Monday he was found in possession of a stolen bank card.

He was charged with vehicle interference, theft of a bank card, and breaching a community order.

At Brighton Magistrates’ Court Light, of Broadbridge Heath, was jailed for 32 weeks.

Acting Sergeant Andy Bryant said: “This custodial sentence is a result of persistent offending by an individual who has received multiple warnings in the past.

“Light is well known in the local area, largely due to the vigilance of residents in looking out for one another.

“Thanks to them, he will see in the New Year behind bars, which we hope will provide some reassurance to the local community.

“I’d also like to urge people to take steps to prevent vehicle crime – lock it when it is not in use, don’t leave anything of value on display or in the vehicle at all, and try to park in well lit areas or covered by CCTV.”