A HEROIN addict committed a burglary at the home of a grieving widower, a court heard.

Edward Miller struck at the man's house in Highland Terrace, Ferryhill, a month after his wife had died.

Miller, 24, of no fixed address, stole jewellery belonging to the man's wife, including wedding, engagement and eternity rings.

He also took personal items, pieces of Ainsley pottery and electrical equipment. The total value of his haul was just under £2,000.

Paul Turner, prosecuting, told magistrates at Newton Aycliffe yesterday that Miller broke into the house last March 21.

He said: "This is not a nice burglary, if there is such a thing. In fact it is despicable.

"This was a retired widower's property. His wife had died a month prior to this offence.

"He had organised a holiday to get over the loss and had left his house in the morning to make final arrangements before leaving the following morning."

Miller, who sold the property to buy drugs, was detected by DNA tests on a sample of blood left at the scene.

But by that time he was already serving three years and nine months in prison for a burglary committed last April.

Solicitor Andrew Clinton, for Miller, said three other burglaries had been taken into consideration, all of which had been committed at about the same time as this offence.

He said he had spoken to his client in prison and he had admitted the offence.

Mr Clinton said: "He is very ashamed regarding the background to this widower's position. He is somebody who has shown remorse for that."

Miller was sentenced to five months in prison, to run concurrent with his existing sentence.