A HEROIN addict broke into two elderly women's homes in a burglary spree to feed his habit, shortly after his release from a prison sentence.

Dean Merritt was yesterday jailed for five-and-a-half years after a court heard the effect his latest crimes had on his victims.

Durham Crown Court was told that Merritt, 23, was released early from a three-year sentence for robbery and house burglary on November 11.

Marc Davies, prosecuting, said he took cash and other possessions in a break-in at a house in Newton Hall, Durham.

On December 8, he struck twice, in the Pity Me and Newton Hall areas, confronting an 82-year-old householder after gaining entry to the home where she lived alone.

Later, Merritt took a large haul of jewellery and other personal effects in a burglary at the home of a 76-year-old widow.

On discovering the loss, the woman collapsed suffering chest pains and was taken to hospital, where it was later confirmed she had suffered a heart attack.

Jamie Adams, in mitigation, said he became depressed on release from prison at being unable to find work and returned to his heroin habit.

Merritt, of Brackenfield Road, Framwellgate Moor, Durham, admitted three burglary charges and asked for a further similar offence to be considered.

Jailing him for four-and-a-half years, added to 12-months recall on an unserved part of his previous sentence, Judge Richard Lowden told Merritt: "You know it has to be a long sentence to mark the abhorrence these courts have, particularly because of the effect on these two old ladies."