A BURGLAR who targeted a village hair salon has avoided a jail term.

Richard Daniel Sambells, 50, had originally denied raising Blakes Hair and Beauty in Twyford on March 17 last year, stealing cash and electrical and cosmetic items valued at £1,274.90.

But he changed his plea to guilty at Basingstoke Magistrates Court.

Sambells, of Orchard Close, Colden Common, received a community order with a curfew to be electronically monitored between 7pm and 7am for eight weeks.

There is also a rehabilitation activity requirement for up to 15 days, a drugs rehabilitation requirement with monthly reviews, with the first one on March 18. He must also pay £200 compensation to Blake.

Sambells also changed his plea to admit attempted possession of methadone on July 22 last year. There was no separate penalty.