A BURGLAR who stole high value rings and jewellery and also returned to the scene of his crime to steal two cars has been jailed for just under three years.

John Conlin struck at the property in Densham Drive, Stockton, while the householders and their young children were upstairs.

Paul Abrahams, prosecuting at Teesside Crown Court, suggested Conlin, of Varo Terrace, Stockton, had help with the raid, although this was denied by his counsel.

The court heard how the victims felt they had been “invaded” and didn’t feel safe anymore.

The rings were later recovered following the burglary on October 22 last year.

Conlin, 40, who has 55 criminal convictions, admitted burglary and two counts of taking a vehicle without consent.

He had been on licence for previous offences at the time of the crimes.

Ian West, mitigating, said it had been a bad burglary, but Conlin had acted alone.

Judge Tony Briggs jailed the defendant for two years, ten months.