A pensioner was forced to miss her sister's funeral when a burglar stole almost £200 after tricking his way into her home.

Peter Thirlaway, 32, was jailed for six years yesterday after posing as a council workman at Sarah Waddell's bungalow in Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, in December last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Thirlaway showed an identity card to the pensioner before stealing £198 in cash, a watch, an engagement ring and wedding ring, worth a total of £1,000, from her bedroom.

The 77-year-old had been visited by several genuine council representatives during previous weeks, so when Thirlaway arrived, she let him in.

Prosecutor Julie Clemitson told the court that Mrs Waddell's daughter had drawn her mother's pension that day, so she could travel to the Midlands.

She said: "Mrs Waddell had been due to attend her sister's funeral the following day, and as a consequence of that money being stolen she was unable to do so."

Euan Duff, defending, told the court that Thirlaway had not intended to burgle the house, but had taken advantage of an opportunity when the pensioner waved at him and asked if he was from the council.

Thirlaway, of Devonshire Street, South Shields, South Tyneside, who has spent much of his adult life in prison, admitted burglary.