A burglar carried a bucket as a prop in case he was challenged, a court heard yesterday.
But Kathleen Hand, of Skelton, east Cleveland, rumbled Michael Jeffels, 19, when he claimed he was her regular window cleaner, said Jeffrey Hunter, prosecuting.
Her front door was open to remove the smell of paint. Jeffels stole her jewellery box from a bedroom, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Jeffels was arrested a few days later.
Paul Newcombe, defending, said Jeffels was serving 21 months for other burglaries. He was a former heroin addict.
Jeffels of Hollybush, Skelton, east Cleveland, was sent to a young offenders' institution for another 15 months consecutively, after he admitted burglary and theft
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