A HEROIN addict has been jailed for breaking into a Droitwich home and stealing a family heirloom and other jewellery of sentimental value.

The victim of the raid has been so traumatised she is now considering moving from the home in Tagwell Road, Droitwich, she has lived in for

24 years, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Peter Grieves-Smith, prosecuting, told the court that Terry Burke targeted the property with an accomplice, who has not been found.

They waited for the householder and her daughter to leave on the morning of July 25 this year then broke into a key safe outside and took the key to the front door. Inside, they carried out an untidy search of the whole house and took jewellery and electrical items.

None of the items have been recovered, including a 100-year-old piece of jewellery that was to be passed on through family generations.

A neighbour spotted the men acting suspiciously and took down the number of their car which led to the arrest of 34-year-old Burke, of Reservoir Close, Birmingham.

Burke, a "three strikes" burglar subject to a mandatory jail sentence, pleaded guilty to burglary.

Mr Grieves-Smith said the householder had been having difficulty sleeping and had been so anxious following the raid that she was seriously considering moving house as her daughters had now left home.

Delroy Henry, defending, said Burke was a heroin addict whose long record of dishonesty stemmed from him needing to buy drugs. He said Burke had written to the householder expressing his remorse and was now taking steps to tackle his drug addiction.

Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins, QC, said Burke had not cared about inflicting pain and suffering on other people to fund his drug habit.

The items may not have been of great value but the jewellery could not be replaced and it had no doubt just been sold for a modest sum, he said.

Burke was jailed for two-and-a-half years.