Burglar Kevin Hogan, who admitted stealing rucksacks from American students visiting an Oxford college, was jailed for 18 months.

Hogan, 32, of Wood Farm, Headington, Oxford, broke into the Matthews Building hall of residence, at St Peter's College, in New Inn Hall Street, Oxford, on July 25, when a group of American schoolchildren were attending a conference. Alan Blake, prosecuting, told Oxford Crown Court yesterday that two American students noticed their rucksacks were missing from their room when they returned after supper.

He said police on patrol in Beaumont Street were alerted when a taxi driver flashed his lights at them and pointed to his passenger.

Hogan was in the back of the taxi with two rucksacks. He was counting money and had asked to be taken to a bureau de change. Hogan was arrested and in an interview said he found the rucksacks in a stairwell and had not been in the rooms.

Nigel Daly, defending, said Hogan had a problem with heroin and was worried what effect his sentence would have on his 12-year-old daughter.

Judge Paul Clark said: "This court takes a very serious view of those who break into students' rooms. Those who steal from students' rooms can expect deterrent sentences."