A Newtown man with a lengthy criminal history has been sentenced to jail after breaking into the home of an elderly couple while they were asleep.

As reported by the Powys County Times, Michael Gary Simmons, 33, was apprehended thanks to Ring doorbell footage provided by the local neighbourhood watch coordinator in the St Mary's Close area of town.

On Thursday, August 3, Judge Niclas Parry sentenced Mr Simmons, who is a father of three, to two years and eight months behind bars.

Mr Simmons, who was arrested a few days later, has a history of dishonesty offenses, including two previous burglaries, as well as a five-year prison sentence in 2017 for possession of cocaine and MDMA with intent to supply.

He will serve half of his sentence in prison and the remaining half on license. As he has been in custody since his arrest, the time already served will count toward his sentence.