A former Bradford Bulls academy player faces jail.

Ben Feehan (above) stole thousands of pounds worth of family heirlooms from a Holmfirth home and could now be jailed.

Feehan, who has played for Huddersfield Giants and the Bradford Bulls, admitted the daytime raid at the property on Thursday, December 19, when he appeared at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court.

He will be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court next month and has been remanded in custody. Feehan smashed his way through a bedroom window and stole a safe full of jewellery. Feehan, of Farfield Road, Almondbury, Huddersfield, was linked to the burglary by blood left behind at the scene.

Kirklees magistrates heard the 28-year-old has refused to reveal the wherebaouts of the jewellery.

Feehan pleaded guilty to burgling the home in Moor View when he appeared at the Huddersfield court.

Feehan put forward in interview that he owed money and committed this offence for fear of reprisals – but wasn’t forthcoming how much money was owed.

Magistrates were told that in March 2010 a judge at Bradford Crown Court jailed Feehan for 15 months for another burglary.

Jonathan Slawinski, for Feehan, said that his client was a qualified hairdresser but had played rugby professionally. Magistrates committed Feehan to Leeds Crown Court for sentence.