A burglar stole presents and jewellery just a few days before Christmas after smashing his way into a patio with a bird bath.

Lee Moore, of Queen Street, St Helens, burgled the house on Salisbury Avenue, Horwich, on December 14 last year just as the festive period was gathering pace.

No-one had been at home at the time, but Bolton Crown Court heard just how distressing the break-in had been for the owner.

Bob Sastry, prosecuting, said: “He had stolen some Christmas presents, including wine and some jewellery that was of sentimental value.”

St Helens Star: The case was heard at Bolton Crown CourtThe case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Sastry added that after smashing his way in through the patio Moore, 28, had gone upstairs where he then stole the jewellery.

He also told the court that Moore also stolen a set of car keys and that he had previous convictions for burglary and for the possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

The owner later arrived home to find the damage that had been done to her house and to discover that several of her possession were missing.

Moore was arrested soon afterwards and pleaded guilty to burglary at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court.

Helen Miller, defending, admitted that Moore had an "extensive record" of crimes to his name but said that he now accepted his guilt.

She said: “The only thing I can really say positively about Mr Moore is that he indicated a guilty plea at the lower court.”

Ms Miller told the court how Moore had found it hard to claim Universal Credit because of his lack of a photo ID, which had left him with no money.

She said: “It ended up that he was without funds and he regrettably reverted to what he had done historically.”

But she said that since his arrest Moore had shown genuine remorse after "letting himself down" and now wanted to apologise to his victim.

But the Honorary Recorder for Bolton Judge Martin Walsh reminded the court of the effect Moore’s actions had had on his victim, especially given that he had burgled the home so close to Christmas.

He said: “Anybody who experiences a dwelling house burglary will understand the trauma that it causes.”

Judge Walsh sentenced Moore to a total of 876 days in prison - close to two-and-a-half years.