AN "old-fashioned" burglar apologised to his elderly victim after leaving her terrified when he targeted her house by mistake, a court heard.

Brian Keogh admitted breaking into the pensioner's home to steal cash, believing a drug dealer lived at the property, in Montrose Street, Middlesbrough.

The 30-year-old, of Wentworth Street, Middlesbrough, was confronted by the pensioner when he entered her bedroom after breaking a window to get in.

He fled empty-handed when he realised his mistake, the court heard.

In mitigation at Teesside Crown Court, Rod Hunt said: "He seems to be an old-fashioned criminal. He believes he has broken his own code by breaking into the elderly lady's home.

"It was a genuine mistake and he realises that it is no excuse. He feels deep shame about the distress he caused this old lady.

"During police interview, he made full admissions and apologised for his mistake."

Keogh also pleaded guilty to obstructing a police officer, possession of a pointed article, driving without insurance and without a licence. He was also co-accused of two attempted thefts and one of handling stolen goods with Wayne Harvey of Fulcrum Street, Middlesbrough.

The pair attempted to withdraw money from cash machines with a credit card stolen during a burglary, the court heard.

With another, unidentified, person, they were caught on security film using the card in Middlesbrough town centre, in March.

Harvey also pleaded guilty to two charges of burglary on non-domestic buildings while serving a suspended sentence. He stole £1,260 worth of electrical equipment from a firm on Skippers Lane Industrial Estate, Middlesbrough, and caused £4,000 worth of damage to a Ladbrokes bookmakers when he and two unknown accomplices smashed their way into the premises.

In mitigation for Harvey, Warren Grier said: "He has been an idiot. He was given a chance last year and broke it."

Judge Michael Taylor jailed Keogh for six years. He was sentenced to four years for the burglary, 18 months for handling stolen goods, six months consecutive for the attempted thefts, six months consecutive for possession of weapon in public.

He was also given three months, to run consecutively, for driving offences, and a two-year driving ban.

Harvey was jailed for a total of three years and 210 days. He was sentenced to 18 months for handling stolen goods, two six- month concurrent sentences for the attempted thefts and 18 months consecutive for the two non-dwelling burglaries, with 210 days from his suspended sentence.