A HEROIN addict carried out a bungalow burglary to feed his habit three weeks after his release from prison.

Glen Wilson, 21, and another man were seen running from the back yard of the property, in Horden, County Durham, shortly after 6.30am on May 15.

Durham Crown Court was told a householder woke after hearing a noise from the bathroom.

Although she attempted to give chase, she was unable to catch the pair.

She discovered a handbag, and purse, containing £10 and a cheque book, had been taken.

A neighbour reported seeing two figures near the back yard of the property, in Burnside Avenue.

Wilson and another figure were spotted on security camera footage taken in the vicinity at the time.

He was arrested and the print of his training shoe matched one taken from the bathroom of the bungalow.

Jenny Haig, prosecuting, said Wilson said he was living rough in the area, but was staying at a property in nearby Thorntree Gill the night before the burglary, before being thrown out at 6.30am.

He said that he gained access to the bungalow via an open bathroom window.

Ron Mitchell, mitigating, said Wilson was "living on the streets" following his release from prison on April 24, and shoplifted to finance his heroin habit.

Wilson, of no fixed abode, admitted burglary and asked for five theft offences to be considered.

Judge George Moorhouse told him: "This was a particularly mean offence and it took place in the early hours of the morning when the occupants were in the house."

Wilson was jailed for two years and three months, added to four months unserved from a previous sentence.