A FAMILY whose home was burgled overnight in December, when Christmas presents were taken from under the tree, are to be asked to give a victim impact statement to court, before the perpetrator is sentenced.

It follows guilty pleas given by Kevin Andrew Lee to two counts of burglary at Durham Crown Court.

One of the break-ins was at a house in the Sunnybrow area of Willington between December 8 and 11, in which candles, bags of Christmas items, keys and bank cards were taken.

The other was at another house in Willington, on January 1, in which a purse, money and jewellery were taken.

Lee, 32, formerly of Willington, appeared at court via video link from nearby Durham Prison.

The court heard he has also previously admitted three counts each of theft from a person and a motor vehicle.

Judge Jonathan Carroll said he would delay sentence to give the complainants in the burglary cases the chance to give victim impact statements for the court.

He remanded Lee to remain in custody until the sentencing hearing, on Thursday May 9.