TWO brothers were jailed after admitting involvement in burglaries and an attempted residential break-in.

Paul, 30, and 33-year-old Shaun Christopher Ritson took part in the burglary of a house in Beverley Way, Peterlee, in which car keys were removed, in February.

Although two cars were subsequently driven away from the house, the brothers denied taking the vehicles.

They did admit the burglary, however, as they were seen on CCTV in Peterlee town centre withdrawing £150 using a credit card taken from the house.

Paul Ritson also admitted an earlier burglary, at a house in Scafell Close, Peterlee, in which a large haul of jewellery, electronic goods and personal items were taken, in December.

Don MacFaul, prosecuting, told Durham Crown Court traces of Ritson's blood were found in the premises.

Shaun Ritson also admitted attempting to burgle a house in McGuinness Avenue, in Horden, near Peterlee, where he was seen climbing out of a window, last June.

The court heard both men have criminal records, including domestic burglaries.

Peter Schofield, mitigating for Paul Ritson, of Wordsworth Avenue, Easington Lane, near Houghton-le-Spring, handed in a letter expressing remorse, outlining he has had a drug problem since the age of 14, and has spent much of his adult life behind bars.

Ron Mitchell, for Shaun Ritson, of no fixed address, said he has not been involved in burglary for 15 years, but he, too, has suffered from a drug dependency.

He added that, although occupants were at home, at the time, no one was disturbed in any incident.

Recorder Jonathan Aitken told both: "Burglary of houses where people are asleep is a serious matter."

He jailed Shaun Ritson for 24 months and imposed a 21-month sentence on Paul Ritson.