A PROLIFIC thief caught attempting to steal money from collection tins in Winchester Cathedral has been jailed for four months.

It was only eight months ago that Neil Munkley avoided a prison sentence for stealing £800 from Poppy Appeal boxes across the city.

Now the 28-year-old is behind bars after cathedral staff caught him in the act again trying to steal cash from a candle stand collection box on May 20.

Andover Magistrates Court heard how a member of staff called the police after spotting him acting suspiciously on CCTV cameras. He was arrested at the Cathedral shortly afterwards with a stick and sticky pad found close to where he was detained.

Police said the instrument was used to try and “fish” money, which is donated by grieving members of the public, out of the collection tins. It is understood no money was stolen during the incident.

Munkley, a self-confessed drug addict, of Trussell Crescent, Weeke, pleaded guilty to attempted theft at and was sentenced at Basingstoke Magistrates Court.

PC Graham Wren, based at Winchester police station, said: “We are very pleased Munkley has been locked up. He is a priority prolific offender and we are pleased he has got this sentence.”

As reported in the Hampshire Chronicle last December, veterans were left fuming after Munkley stole six Poppy Appeal collection boxes in just seven days from shops, pubs and community centres in Winchester last November.

The self-confessed drug addict, who has previous convictions for shoplifting, is estimated to have pocketed around £800 from the Royal British Legion charity destined for members of the armed forces and their families.

Following the court case last year he received a 12-month community order and was ordered to attend a ten-month drug rehabilitation course.

Veterans said he should have been jailed. The maximum sentence he could have received for his crimes was six months behind bars. Following his latest sentence his existing 12 month community order was revoked.