A BURGLAR who “invaded” a family home and stole a 32 inch TV, bank card and a stash of sweets and chocolate has been jailed.

Anthony Lidster was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison after breaking into a house in Darlington in the middle of the night last June.

Teesside Crown Court heard the 39-year-old stole almost £50 worth of cheese from a Darlington store just days earlier but police caught up with him after he dropped a supermarket loyalty card bearing his finger prints.

Jenny Hague, prosecuting, said: “At 2am on June 22nd 2018 the victim and her partner had gone to bed and their two young children. She woke up and 8am and went downstairs to find the TV was missing and in the kitchen the contents of her handbag was on the floor.

“It was clear someone went in while they were sleeping. The upstairs drawers were open and rifled through. Stolen was a black 32 inch TV, bank card, sweets, chocolate bars, £8 cash and cigarettes.

“She rang the police and it was discovered the defendant left behind a Iceland bonus card and his finger prints were detected. CCTV in the area showed the defendant walking with a TV under his arm at around 5am.

“Two shop thefts happened on June 19th and June 21st at the same store in Darlington where £40 worth of cheese and £12 worth of cheese were stolen.”

Quoting the victim, Ms Hague said: “Although what was taken wasn’t of much monetary value, it was concerning to think someone was in my house while we slept. It is clear there were small children but this did not deter the person who invaded my home. This will continue to effect me more than the burglar would know.”

The court heard Lidster, of Grange Road, Darlington, had 85 previous convictions including two burglaries but was “genuinely sorry” and is working on his drug addiction.

But Judge Deborah Sherwin handed him two years and seven months in prison after he pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and one count of burglary.

Addressing Lidster, who appeared via a video link at Durham Prison, she said: “I am sure you understand it is a horrible thing for someone to wake up and find someone has been in their home while they slept. There were small children who could have woke up if disturbed.”