A 24-year-old burglar who stole over £5,000 worth of property on Christmas Day was jailed for two years yesterday.Danny Golightly, of Townhall Mews, Yarmouth, admitted the “mean” burg-lary at an off-licence in the town's Northgate Street.

A 24-year-old burglar who stole over £5,000 worth of property on Christmas Day was jailed for two years yesterday.

Danny Golightly, of Townhall Mews, Yarmouth, admitted the “mean” burg-lary at an off-licence in the town's Northgate Street.

Stephen Ridley, prosec-uting at Norwich Crown Court, said Edward Pitman and his wife left the off-licence at 2pm to visit friends and relatives. When they returned at 10pm they found the shop had been broken into and £2,000 of cigarettes stolen along with £1,000-worth of alcohol and about £2,000-worth of property, mainly jewellery taken from their living quarters.

Golightly left a fingerprint behind. His home was searched by police and nearly 90 items of property were recovered.

Andrew Oliver, for Golightly, said some of the items were taken as presents. “This was a mean burglary on Christmas Day. He smashed a window to gain access. But he is not a career burglar. He is a heroin addict.”

Mr Oliver said Golightly moved to Yarmouth from Harlow to make a clean start.

The court heard Golightly had 27 previous convictions for more than 70 offences.

Recorder Ian Foster told him: “This was a mean burglary on Christmas day, doubtless causing the occupants very great upset. You have an appalling record.”