A Wiltshire man who was found 'naked and hiding in a shed' after breaking into an elderly woman’s home has avoided prison.

Matthew Alexander, 36, of no fixed abode in Chippenham, appeared at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, September 3 and pleaded guilty to burglary dwelling with intent to steal.

On Thursday, October 17 he was sentenced to 6 months in prison, suspended for 12 months at the same court. 

Mr Ballinger, prosecuting, told the court that Alexander had broken into an elderly woman’s home in Chippenham on Wednesday, May 15 this year and was discovered by the woman after she heard “funny noises” and a “few thuds” coming from the hallway.

The court heard when she got up to see what was going on, she was greeted by Alexander leaning in through a window, with his torso and hands inside the house and the rest of his body outside the property.

READ MORE: Chippenham: Burglar 'found naked' hiding in shed with stolen items

She asked Alexander who he was, to which he replied “I'm Daniel, I live across the road, I’ve come to see how you are. Have you got a ladder?”

The victim said she did, but went to alert a neighbour, while Alexander fled the property, the court was told.

The court heard she soon realised a decorated jug which she was gifted by her son – worth around £10 – was missing, along with an ornamental bird which was displayed on the windowsill and a bank letter from her bedroom, indicating Alexander had been in her home for some time and she had caught him on his way out.

The police were contacted promptly and received a number of calls from other neighbours about Alexander climbing on garage roofs, while officers searched nearby gardens.

He was discovered in a shed - naked and surrounded by a number of items, including the bank statement.

At his previous court hearing the court was told the bank statement was covered in excrement. 

Alexander, who was self-representing and had no previous convictions, told the court: “It was a moment of madness and I’m really sorry for what I’ve done to the people involved.”

The Magistrate suggested his actions were likely caused by the “cocktail of drugs and alcohol” he admitted taking at the time including MDMA and cocaine, but Alexander said his current state of sobriety is “good”, despite having the occasional drink.

Additionally, the judge said the offence had been committed “spontaneously” and “on impulse”.

He added: “Your offending clearly crosses the custody threshold.

“What is in your favour is the fact that there’s a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in your case.”

He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation, a £154 surcharge and £85 prosecution costs, totalling £339.