A burglar has been jailed for breaking into a 93-year-old woman's home while she was in respite care and stealing her money and jewellery.
Steven Gill raided the widow's home in Exeter within three days of her leaving it and ransacked it before escaping with her savings and a jewel box.
The 45-year-old serial burglar specialised in breaking into houses through the back garden and has been jailed four times in the past for almost identical offences.
Gill, of Laburnum Road, Exeter, admitted two burglaries and was jailed for three years by Recorder Mr Jonathan Fuller, QC at Exeter Crown Court.
He told him:"You have a lengthy list of convictions and are a prolific burglar who has received substantial sentences in the past and are liable for a minimum sentence for these offences.
"I hope you will do what you can to rid yourself of your drugs habit while in prison and stop offending."
Miss Bathsheba Cassel, prosecuting, said the first burglary was in Park Road, Exeter on March 1, when the owner was visiting friends.
Gill smashed a rear window then used a knife from the kitchen to cut his way through a locked internal door before stealing 200 Euros and £50 to £60 cash.
He also stole jewellery of great sentimental value and a set of candle sticks and left the owner feeling unnerved and violated.
Gill struck again just days later at the home of a 93-year-old woman in Buddle Lane, Exeter.
Miss Cassel said:"The owner had in fact gone into respite care and three days later a neighbour discovered the property had been burgled by a brick being thrown through a rear window.
"An untidy search was made and property and cash stolen. The victim's sister in law said the owner had been able to confirm that her jewellery box had been stolen.
"None of the property or cash from either burglary has been recovered and obviously some of it was a great sentimental value."
She said police were able to track down Gill because he left DNA at the first crime scene and a palm print at the second.
Mr Nick Bradley, defending, said Gill was in the grip of drug addiction but is determined to rid himself of it while in prison. He said he deserves credit for admitting his guilt at an early stage.
