A 38-year-old man desperate for money carried out two burglaries within four months, a court was told.

Trevor Richardson conned his way into an elderly woman’s flat in Wellington Close, Worcester, on December 10 with a story that the Government was making grants for draught-proofing.

When the woman refused to give him her bank details, he left but stole a digital camera on the way out, said Stephen Davies, prosecuting. He sold it the same day at Cash Converters.

On March 27 he broke into Mere House, Kempsey, near Worcester, through an upstairs window.

When the occupant, Linda Darby, returned she was shocked to find him in the hallway but he left with an apology.

Richardson was arrested in a nearby lane.

Richardson, of Ellsdon, Kempsey, who pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to two burglaries, was jailed for 30 months.

Jonathan Barker, defending, said he had one previous conviction for theft but had not offended since 1997.

He and his partner were destitute after his disability allowance was stopped and needed money for fuel and groceries.