A drug user who burgled a house to help fund his massive £1,000-per-day habit was jailed yesterday.

Austin Jobling, 27, took three Ladhro ornaments worth £300 when he targeted a property in Viewthorpe Terrace, Sunderland, with pal William Hughes, 19, on August 4.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the pair targeted the house while the homeowners were on holiday.

After defence barrister Vince Ward said Jobling carried out the raid to fund his drug habit, Judge Tony Lancaster said; "His habit costs him in the region of £750 per day on cocaine and if one adds the heroin that is very nearly £1,000 per day."

The judge said the amount Jobling spent on drugs was "astonishing" and the only way he could possibly fund it was by crime.

The court heard how Jobling has 117 previous convictions for a variety of offences including burglary.

Judge Lancaster refused Mr Ward's request for the case to be adjourned so Jobling could be assessed for his suitability for a drug treatment and testing order.

Judge Lancaster said: "The clear principle is repeated burglars should go to prison."

Jobling, of Shakespear Street, Sunderland, was sentenced to two years and four months for the burglary plus an extra four months for a separate offence of escaping from police custody.

Hughes, of Washington Road, Sunderland, who has sixteen convictions which also include burglary, was jailed for two years and four months.