A THIEF who broke into a family home and stole a sports car worth tens of thousands of pounds has been given five months to prove himself or face jail.

Callum Gomm, of Sorrel Road, Blackbird Leys, had already admitted burglary and theft at the property at Beech Road, Headington.

Oxford Crown Court heard at his sentencing on Tuesday how the 20-year-old had crept into the house in the early hours of Tuesday, August 14, before stealing keys to a parked BMW X5 and a ladies' handbag.

Gomm then left the house while the family inside slept, before taking the sports car from the drive and later abandoning it at Kiln Lane in Risinghurst.

The householder soon noticed the theft when he saw the car had vanished from his driveway that morning before spotting an opened living room window and muddy foot prints.

The car was then located and fingerprint analysis indicated Gomm was at the scene, together with an unidentified accomplice who has not been charged.

In mitigation at the hearing, defence barrister Graham Bennett said that his client – who has a number of previous convictions and was in breach of a community order at the time – had led a troubled upbringing.

He appealed for for leniency to avoid further and lengthier spells of imprisonment and to give Gomm a chance to make something of his life.

Sentencing, Judge Peter Ross said: “This was a serious burglary, involving as it did the invasion of people’s home during the hours of darkness while they were at home.

“It involved the theft of high-value items including a large and expensive motorcar and overall losses of £2,400. This may well be, realistically, your last chance to turn away from crime.”

His sentence was deferred until March 4.

In the meantime he was given an overnight curfew and ordered to do unpaid work and pay £2,400 compensation.