A MAN who caused £2,000 damage while breaking into a retired couple’s Worcester home has been given a chance to be assessed for a drug rehabilitation order.

Craig Fewtrell tried to get into the lounge of the Northwick Close house, but set off an alarm and left empty-handed. A neighbour phoned the victims who were out enjoying an evening meal, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Police linked the 34-year-old to the raid after blood left at the scene was matched to him by DNA testing, said Stephen Davies, prosecuting.

Fewtrell, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary. He has a record for house burglary stretching back to 1993.

Judge Patrick Thomas QC said the defendant would have a justifiable grievance if a drug order was not explored by the probaton service.

But he warned that a non-custodial sentence was highly unlikely given Fewtrell’s criminal record.

He targeted the detached house on June 30 while still on licence from prison after a previous jail term, said Mr Davies.

Fewtrell claimed he had not been out that night and was looking after his daughter.

The victims are now anxious about going out, think they are being watched and are fearful of another burglary, said Mr Davies.

Defending, Nick Roberts said the raid was an impulsive break-in after Fewtrell had taken drugs.

He could recall little about the offence.

Fewtrell was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on November 30.