A BURGLAR who targeted his former solicitor was jailed at Teesside Crown Court yesterday.

Wayne Morell, 22, admitted three charges of burglary.

Andrew Finlay, prosecuting, said Morrell targeted his former solicitor's office in Bishop Auckland.

He walking into the offices of CW Booth and stole a woman's handbag which had been left on a desk, on January 9.

The same day, Morrell walked into a woman's house in Bishop Auckland and stole her handbag and a bag containing two kettles and some groceries from her kitchen, while she was elsewhere in the house.

The following day, said Mr Finlay, Morrell tried the same tactic at another woman's house, but this time she found him in the kitchen and told him to leave.

He said Morrell, of Hillbeck Street, Bishop Auckland, had a £140-a-week heroin habit and had asked for two other similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Jamie Hill, for Morrell, said his client was embarrassed by his burglary of the CW Booth solicitor's firm, because the firm had previously been his solicitor of choice.

He said Morrell was now heavily involved in the prison church group and was looking to his future with a renewed enthusiasm.

Judge Anthony Briggs said drugs were at the heart of Morrell's offending.

He sentenced him to a jail term of three years and three months.