A MAN took part in a break-in at the home of an elderly woman after he approached her about guttering repairs.

Gary Young, of Hartlepool, was one of two men who took part in the burglary of the premises in Horden, east Durham, in which the 83-year-old woman's shoulder bag, two rings, a watch, £90, a phone and a purse containing a bank card were taken.

Durham Crown Court heard that within half an hour, a female accomplice tried to use the card to buy goods at a shop, with Young and a further co-accused caught on closed-circuit television cameras nearby.

Young, 32, of Stirling Street, admitted burglary on March 10.

Sentence was adjourned until August 18 for preparation of probation reports.

Young will be sentenced with his co-accused, a 33-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, both from Hartlepool, who made admissions at previous hearings.