A MAN stole his mother’s jewellery while she was ill in hospital and his father lay dying from lung cancer, a court heard.

Ian Wilson took almost £3,000 worth of gold items from his parents’ home which he had been entrusted to look after while both were in hospital.

Following the death of his father, his mother was released after treatment and returned home to find that the items, many gifts from her late husband, had been stolen.

The 44-year-old, who brought an inhaler with him to court, pleaded guilty to theft in February and March this year when he appeared before magistrates in Bishop Auckland yesterday.

Alison Nunn, prosecuting, said the jewellery, worth £2,700, was of a high sentimental value to Mrs Wilson.

She said Mrs Wilson was grieving when she discovered her jewellery, which she had kept in a container, was missing.

The empty container was found at Wilson’s home in Wharton Street, Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, and the alarm was raised.

The jewellery has never been recovered.

Mrs Nunn said: “The empty container was later discovered in his property with golf clubs.

“This has had a detrimental effect on Mrs Wilson and her relationship with her son.”

Wilson initially denied the offence when interviewed by police, but later owned up.

Mrs Nunn, who described the case as a breach of trust, said Wilson had previous convictions for driving offences but none for dishonesty.

She also said there were indications that his mother may have wanted to withdraw her complaint, but that no such instructions had been received.

John Turner, in mitigation, said the guilty plea showed the remorse Wilson felt and said he had been to see his mother recently.

He added: “He feels dreadful about what has happened.

“He has to rebuild bridges here.”

The bench asked the probation service to prepare a report on Wilson.

He was granted unconditional bail to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court next month for sentencing.