A MAN who broke into a neighbour's home and then took his car has been jailed for two years.

Paul Bake took a mobile phone, money and car keys from the two-bedroomed semi-detached property in Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, last August.

Durham Crown Court heard that Bake left in the householder's Rover Metro, having taken the keys from the mantelpiece.

Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said he called at the home of a neighbour, who was immediately suspicious on seeing the car parked outside and Bake, normally short of money, with £40 in his hand.

The Metro was later found parked, and undamaged in Newton Aycliffe, and the keys were returned to the owner.

Nigel Wray, mitigating, said Bake, who had a £40-a-day drug habit, was also drinking heavily at the time of the offence.

He said he found the door of his victim's house unlocked.

"It was more of a sneak-in rather than a night-time break-in, and no-one was disturbed in the house."

Mr Wray said Bake did not damage the car and also left it in a secure place, passing the keys on so they were returned to the owner.

Jailing Bake, who admitted burglary, recorder Ian Thorp said his drink and drugs problems at the time were no excuse.