A drug addict burglar who stole treasured possessions from the home of an Ilkley widow has been jailed for three years.

During a night-time break-in at the Victoria Road home of the 76-year-old victim, Daniel McCloughlin stole a Georgian silver tea set and with a wallet containing a photograph of her deceased husband.

Prosecutor John Bull said McCloughin told police later that he had sold the tea set, which was thought to be worth £2,000, for just £130 at a market in Leeds.

Bradford Crown Court heard that the victim, who was asleep in bed at the time of the break-in last September, was now worried about being burgled again.

Just five days after the first offence McCloughlin committed another night-time burglary, this time at the home of a 68-year-old woman.

Mr Bull said the victim was again asleep in bed when the 35-year-old burgled her house in Wharfe View Road, Ilkley. On that occasion he stole credit cards and a chequebook.

McCloughlin, who was living at Little Lane, Ilkley, at the time, was arrested by police after he was identified on CCTV equipment trying to use stolen cards in a cashpoint machine.

He initially denied any involvement in the burglaries, but at a later police interview he finally confessed to the break-ins.

Judge Roger Scott was told that McCloughlin had a long history of previous convictions, including house burglary offences.

Barrister Nicholas Askins, for McCloughlin, said his client had pleaded guilty to the burglary charges at an early stage and was realistic about the type of sentence he would receive.

He explained that McCloughlin had been off drugs for about two years following his release from a previous prison term, but he had committed the burglaries during a period of relapse.

"Fortunately neither victim was disturbed during the burglaries," said Mr Askins. "He was living at Little Lane at the time so it is not a case of a defendant travelling to another district where he thought better pickings were to be had."

Jailing McCloughlin, Judge Scott said he had gone back to his old ways and built up drug debts. "That's of little avail to the two old ladies who were living on their own in their houses believing that their home was their castle and they were safe in it," said Judge Scott.

"Both these ladies were at home in bed at the time and certainly one of them had treasured possessions stolen. I believe that this is a serious case particularly with your record."