A HEROIN addict burgled an old couple's home at 7.30am, a court was told yesterday.

Kimberley Ward, 22, was confronted in the living room stealing cigarettes and a lighter, and the man, aged 67, who suffers from cancer, received bruises on both arms as he tried to block her escape.

Neighbours in the Middlesbrough street recognised Ward and she was arrested later.

She was beating her heroin addiction after spending five months on remand in Low Newton, said Stephen Ashurst, defending.

Ward, of Ayresome Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to burglary and to handling benefit books stolen in another burglary.

She was remanded on bail for three weeks for assessment for a Drugs Treatment and Testing Order.