A MAN who hit the headlines when he staged a tree protest in Oxford city centre was tonight facing jail after being convicted of burglary.

Gabriel Chamberlain, who spent 11 days in a sycamore tree in Bonn Square in January last year, crept into a flat in Walton Street, Jericho, while a couple and their baby were sleeping.

The 35-year-old, of Oxford Road, Kidlington, was caught after he lost his distinctive Panama hat when he jumped out of the flat’s window in August last year.

He claimed he had swapped hats with a man he did not know — but was convicted by a jury at Oxford Crown Court.

Chamberlain has been convicted of burglary twice, five thefts, three offences of handling stolen goods, taking a bicycle without consent, having an offensive weapon and possessing cannabis and heroin.

Chamberlain was arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass after coming down from the trees in Bonn Square, but the case against him was dropped.

Chamberlain was freed on bail but was warned that he was likely to face a jail sentence