A Crawley man broke into his neighbour's home and then called the police to report the burglary, a court heard.

Matthew Rawling, 25, phoned 999 to tell officers he had heard the sound of breaking glass in the flat beneath his own home in Allcot Close, Bewbush, Crawley.

When the owner returned home the following morning, he discovered his flat had been left an untidy mess, a TV and table were turned over and a video was left in the middle of the floor.

Property was also missing, including a computer, games, a DVD player and computer software.

A small amount of blood was found and forensic tests matched it to Rawling, who has previous convictions for dishonesty.

Rawling, a father of three, admitted committing the burglary in May last year when he appeared at Lewes Crown Court.

Rawling was sentenced to a 100-hour community punishment order and was also given a two-year community rehabilitation order. He was ordered to pay £160 costs.