A Leominster householder lost Second World War medals belonging to her father in a raid on her home, a court heard.

She returned from holiday to find bedrooms searched at the house in Godiva Road, Leominster, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Andrew Hayes burgled the property in October last year and some of the stolen items were found in the possession of Mark Jolly, said prosecutor Ruona Igouyovwe.

Hayes, aged 22, formerly of Leominster and now living in Burnley, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to four burglaries and was jailed for two years.

Jolly, 24, of Canonford Avenue, Eardisley, Herefordshire, admitted theft of items from Godiva Road and burglary of an outhouse. He was ordered to be assessed for a drug treatment and testing order and granted bail.

Hayes began a burglary spree by breaking into a health centre in Westfield Walk, Leominster, and stealing a TV.

He also broke into a house being built in Baron's Cross, Leominster, stealing tools worth £959, and raided an electrical shop in School Lane, Leominster, grabbing a hair curler and an electric toothbrush.

Miss Igouyovwe said Jolly stole a strimmer during a burglary. He told police he found the items from Godiva Road.

Hayes had 32 offences of dishonesty on his record and Jolly had a previous burglary.

Mr Dele Alakija, for Hayes, said he started taking drugs at 13 and progressed from cannabis to heroin. He had quit drugs on remand and also attended church meetings.

Miss Samantha Powis, for Jolly, said he had put his family through a terrible time but they were prepared to have him back home. He was now clean from a £75 a day heroin habit and had found a labouring job.

Judge David Matthews said Hayes had netted property worth £3,000 and had been persistently dishonest for eight years.

He told Jolly he deserved a 12-month jail term but decided to give him a chance after hearing he had served the equivalent of a five-month sentence on remand.