A burglar has been ordered to pay more than £4,500 after breaking into a school and smashing doors and windows. 

Ashley Matthews, 35, broke into Hamble School on Satchell Lane, Hamble, on September 22, 2023. 

A fire extinguisher was used to force entry with several windows and glass door panels smashed during the incident. 

Damage was also caused to the Everyone Active Sports Complex which adjoins the school. 

READ MORE: Hamble School CCTV released after windows smashed in break-in

The burglary prompted a public appeal by the police to locate the perpetrator with CCTV images released at the time. 

These showed a man with a rucksack holding a fire extinguisher.

Matthews, of Hound Road, Netley pleaded guilty to burglary and criminal damage to the value of £1,300. 

He was given a community order for one year at Southampton Magistrates' Court.

The order includes 20 rehabilitation days and 120 hours of unpaid work. 

Matthews must also pay £4,800 in compensation. 

This will be paid in £400 monthly instalments starting on April 1. 

A spokesperson for the school said: "We would like to thank the local policing team and the community for their help in the resolution of the break-in at The Hamble School.”