Burglar targeted home where girlfriend worked as cleaner

Gambling addict David Jones, who knew the couple were away on holiday, smashed a window to get in and stole a jar containing about £500, Stafford Crown Court heard.

Mrs Judith Hearn and her husband cut short their holiday when they were told their home in Longdon, near Rugeley, had been burgled.

Jones, aged 32, of Market Street, Rugeley admitted a charge of burglary.

Judge Michael Chambers QC told him: "This was a mean and unpleasant offence.

"You clearly used information you obtained from your partner. This family had been very kind to your partner and, indirectly, to you and this is the way they were repaid."

Miss Fiona Cortese, prosecuting, said the burglary at the couple's home in Kiddewell, Longdon happened on June 6 this year.

Blood on the broken window was examined and the DNA profile matched the defendant's.

He was arrested later that month when he denied being in Longdon.

In a victim impact statement Mrs Hearn said coming back from their holiday because their home had been burgled was 'traumatic'.

The couple had helped their cleaner, even lending her money when she was struggling.

"When I was told they had arrested David Jones I was completely devastated. I felt hurt, betrayed and stupid for being taken in," she said.

Mr Mark Moore, defending, said: "The information that the injured parties were away was inadvertently given to the defendant.

"It is not a case of her playing any part in these matters.

"It is quite clear from her demeanour that she heartily disapproves of the behaviour of Jones."

Mr Moore said she had not only lost her job with the Hearns but also with the agency who recruited her.

Jones had a gambling addiction with roulette machines and committed the burglary to fund the habit, the court heard.

He had now voluntarily got a banning order from the bookmakers he frequented.