A BURGLAR who broke into the Ellesmere Port house of someone he knew from school before stealing their 13-year-old son's Christmas money has been jailed.

Chester Crown Court heard on Monday, February 24 that prolific thief Thomas Ian Steadman, 33, of Westminster Road, Ellesmere Port, appeared to be drunk when CCTV saw him burgling the victim's home on January 21.

Prosecuting, Nardeen Nemat said that during the 15 minutes Steadman was in the property, he stole a Playstation 4 console with 15 games, an iPad, a cocoa tin with £200 inside, two wedding rings, an engagement ring and a framed photograph.

All items were stolen from the victim's 13-year-old son's bedroom. He later received an anonymous phone call that some, but not all, of the items had been recovered.

A statement from the victim, who knew Steadman from school, said the family had been significantly affected by the burglary, and had purchased additional security measures.

He had had to tell his 13-year-old son his Christmas money had been stolen, and his son had become very upset and angry.

His wife had found it difficult to leave the house unattended.

His daughter, although not directly affected by the burglary, had taken to hiding her personal belongings when going to bed.

The victim wondered what long-term effects the burglary would have on his family.

The stolen engagement ring was worth between £400 and £500, and the wedding rings were valued at £250 and £175, but the sentimental value of them all could not be replaced.

The victim said he believed Steadman stole the framed photograph of his 13-year-old son because Steadman thought the frame was more valuable than it actually was.

In addition, Steadman admitted five theft offences from B&M Bargains and Asda, usually stealing alcohol, in Ellesmere Port.

When arrested, Steadman provided a 'no comment' interview.

He had 35 previous convictions for 89 offences, 51 of them theft-related.

Defending, Stephen Ferns said Steadman was "extremely remorseful" for what had happened and wished to convey his apologies.

Steadman "could not recall" all the details of the burglary as he had been taking Valium. He did not have any of the items with him later.

He had been residing at a hostel in Toxteth and had been doing well in recovering from drug addiction, but someone there had "led him astray to get drugs" and he was ultimately evicted without any possessions to his name.

Since being detained, he had complied with a rehabilitation course and a drug detox and was looking to return to Toxteth.

He had lost contact with the last remaining members of his family and had become isolated, and did not feel like he could return to Ellesmere Port.

Judge Simon Berkson said Steadman's five shoplifting offences were an aggravating feature of the burglary.

He told him: "You took items to sell to obtain drugs for yourself. This was a selfish offence.

"It's sad to see that you were making great progress before."

Steadman was jailed for 12 months.