A MAN who broke into a Heswall home while the occupier was out has been jailed for four years.

Paul Jones, aged 25, of Paterson Street, Birkenhead, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to burglary.

Jailing him, Judge William Wickham, the recorder of Liverpool, said: "Only a substantial sentence was justified, not because of the value or quantity of the goods stolen but for the distress lads like you cause the people whose houses you ransack and violate."

Miss Fiona Jordan, prosecuting, told the court that the house in Downham Road South was entered via a smashed rear door window.

Property including a camcorder, video recorder and jewellery were stacked up ready to go in the kitchenette.

Jones was seen by a housing warden, Vicki Edwards, who was walking nearby. She tackled him but he escaped and ran off, she said.

Mr Michael Abelson, defending, said that Jones, who has a poor criminal record, had been staying at a friend's house overnight. He assisted the friend in entering the premises but stayed in the kitchenette where the property was stacked, he said.

He was making strenuous efforts to try and go straight, and was now drug free, said Mr Abelson.

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