A PROSTITUTE who burgled the property of one of her regular clients has left the man feeling unsafe in his own home.

Christine Day broke into the house in Middlesbrough while the victim was staying at his daughter's home to help out with child care.

The 38-year-old admitted stealing a £400 television and around £50 in cash but denied she was responsible for ransacking the victim's house.

Ellen Wright, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court that the man had left his home secured except for a kitchen window which was closed but unlocked when he went out on June 5 this year.

She said: "On June 7 he decided to check up on his property on his way to work and upon entering he found it had been ransacked and a significant number of items were missing."

In a victim personal statement the victim said the burglary had left him unwilling to let his grandchildren stay with him any longer.

Miss Wright readout his statement to the judge, she: "The incident has left him feeling gutted, he now doesn't want to go back to the house and he is thinking about terminating his tenancy agreement early.

"He says that he is scared of being in the address and knows of other properties in the area that have been broken into recently.

"I used to have my young grandchildren occasionally come to stay, however, due to not feeling safe I will not allow them to do so now."

The court heard how the victim is now staying with his daughter but feels he is a burden on her.

In police interview, the defendant told officers the victim was a regular 'punter' of hers as she was a sex worker.

Day, of Langridge Crescent, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to burglary.

Paul Cleasby, in mitigation, urged the judge to pass a non-custodial sentence as she had been remanded in custody for several weeks and had been subject to an electronically tagged curfew.

Recorder Simon Kealey QC said: "You stole the television, valued at £400, and a quantity of cash. Like all burglaries the impact upon the victim was quite significant.

"You have heard the effect it had on the victim and how he doesn't wish to go back there."

Day was sentenced to nine months in custody, suspended for 12-months.

She was also ordered to carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.