A 'THREE STRIKES' burglar, who went off the rails when he got addicted to gambling, has been locked up for more than four years.

Ehsan Hussain, 20, was told by Judge Mark Savill that those who rifled through people's possessions in their homes caused "huge distress and great upset".

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday that Hussain was a barber by trade and had lived a decent life until two years ago.

Prosecutor Alisha Kaye said the latest burglary took place at a dwelling in Aireville Crescent, Shipley, during the day, on March 9, while the family were out.

It was discovered when the complainant returned home to find Hussain and an accomplice had broken in by smashing a utility room window. An untidy search of the rooms had taken place, with bedroom wardrobes and drawers ransacked.

Miss Kaye said a large amount of property, valued at about £16,000, had been stolen. It included a £7,000 diamond engagement ring of sentimental value, gold valued at more than £6,000, other jewellery, and an iPad. The property was not recovered.

Miss Kaye said the defendant's blood was found on a bedroom drawer.

The court heard Hussain had been given a referral order for a dwelling house burglary in May 2013, and last November he was sentenced to eight months youth custody suspended for a year for another dwelling house burglary. The latest offence breached that suspended sentence.

Hussain, of Peel Park View, Undercliffe, Bradford, pleaded guilty to burglary at an earlier hearing. Yesterday he also asked for another offence of burglary, in Tristram Avenue, East Bowling, on December 5 last year, to be taken into consideration.

Hussain's barrister, Adam Walker, said his client had displayed a good work ethic and was now working as a barber in custody. He had started offending around the time of the death of his 16-year-old brother.

Mr Walker added: "He is confident he will stop gambling when he gets out of custody and return to his previous productive role in society."

Judge Mark Savill, sentencing him to four years and two months youth custody, told Hussain: "There are victims in these cases and some of the items you took were not only of high value, but also sentimental value."

He said the defendant was addicted to gambling and had sought to feed that habit.

But the judge added: "You do not rely on a very significant personal tragedy in your life. It seems to me you are perfectly capable of leading a decent life. You have gone off the rails.

"I am persuaded to draw back from a much more severe sentence by the fact that you are still young, and I hope you can go on to lead a worthwhile life."