A DRUG addict who burgled an elderly neighbour of his late grandmother has been jailed for a year.

Gan Bunce, of Graham Drive, Booker, was sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday for burgling the home of 69-year-old Moira Thomas at The Pastures, Downley, on April 4 last year.

Basil Hillman, prosecuting, told the court how Bunce was arrested after his fingerprints were discovered on the underside of a TV decoder box he left behind at the scene.

Bunce got away with property to the value of almost £2,000 including two TVs and a camera.

John Riley, defending, said that at the time of the offence Bunce had been living next door to his victim in his late grandmother's house which belonged to his parents. He said Bunce had a drugs habit at the time and took heroin.

Counsel added that Bunce, who had previous convictions, had now undergone a home detoxification programme and was determined to stay off drugs.

Judge Daniel Rodwell QC, sentencing, said that although Bunce merited some credit for getting off hard drugs, he had still committed a repugnant burglary in which he had monitored the movements of his elderly victim. He had watched her go out so that he could break-in and steal property to fund his habit.