A WOODLANDS resident who left the key on his front door became a victim of theft - by his neighbour.

Muhammad Iswan Ismail, 30, passing by the second-floor unit just past 4am on Jan 7, saw the key dangling on the door and used it to enter the flat. He stole three cellphones and accessories valued at $850, and $50 in cash.

Muhammad, who is jobless, was jailed five years and ordered to be given 12 strokes of the cane on Wednesday

He has previous housebreaking convictions and could have been jailed up to 12 years.