Student's plea over laptop robbery

Detectives are hunting a burglar who broke into a student's house, beat him over the head with a chair and stole a computer containing two years' coursework.

The 20-year-old had to be rushed to Southampton General with head and shoulder injuries after the man attacked him at his home in Southcliffe Road, Shirley.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have been offered the silver laptop for sale to get in touch.

They believe someone may have seen the burglar, who is black, six feet tall and in his late 20s, running from the scene at 0900 BST on Thursday.

His victim says the suspect may have a small goatee beard.

Detective Constable Paul Wright said: "The burglar ran from the scene along Southcliffe Road in the direction of The Avenue and would have been carrying a small silver coloured laptop computer.

"We would ask anyone who has just been offered a similar laptop computer for sale or has any information about this theft to get in touch.

"The documents and files on the computer are of very little value to the public but are invaluable to the owner and he urgently wants them returned."