A burglar who crept round a sleeping eight-year-old child to rifle through a wallet and steal cash has avoided jail.

Stuart Duggan, 25, of Ashton Street, Trowbridge, was confronted with the child when he broke into the house in Ashley Close, Bradford on Avon.

But rather than leaving, he continued into the room and went through a wallet, just inches away from the boy, who had been allowed to sleep downstairs as a treat.

A judge at Swindon crown court heard that Duggan, who has a string of previous convictions, broke into the house in the early hours of July 13.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said Duggan admitted the burglary saying he had been drunk and saw an open window.

Duggan was put on probation for 18 months and given 100 hours community service. He was also ordered to pay £87 compensation and £200 court costs.