A FAMILY described how a burglar ruined their lives when he ransacked their home to pay for his drugs habit. Daniel Liptrott has been jailed for three-and-a-half years after admitting a string of offences.

A judge at Swindon Crown Court was told that at the time of the offences the 23-year-old's heroin addiction was appalling.

But the sentence was too lenient according to Phil Young, who says his wife and children were devastated after Liptrott stole more than £7,500 worth of jewellery and electrical equipment, including presents his children had for Christmas, while they were on holiday in Cornwall.

Mr Young, 35, from was forced to cancel a second family break to Cornwall in September because his wife Carol was too upset to leave the house since the April break in.

Carol, 35, is diabetic and suffers from arthritis and spinal disorders. She was pregnant at the time of the burglary and believes the stress of the incident sent her into an early labour.

Mr Young said: "I was furious when I found out what happened. What bothers me most is how much it upset my family. He should have got twice as long but it seems they were lenient because of his drugs habit. "My wife can't be alone in the house and when I go out she waits until I get home before she can get to sleep."

The Youngs, of Montgomery Avenue, Rodbourne, have three children, Brett, 10, Bruce, seven and Leah, five months. The older children say the burglary upset them and Brett often has nightmares that someone is in his room.

Alison Frazer, prosecuting, told the court that computer games consoles and games, CD minidisc player and cash were among items taken from the Young family home by Liptrott.

Liptrott carried out three more burglaries, smashing a window at the Co-op in Old Town at 10pm on April 30 and stealing three bottles of malt whisky.

Two weeks later he stole a cash register and CDs from Gorse Hill Working Men's Club and couple of days after smashed a window at Fitness First in Eastleaze, stealing the till drawers.

Liptrott, of Inglesham Road, Penhill, pleaded guilty to four burglaries, taking without consent and asked for 12 other matters to be taken into consideration. The court was told that he had 48 previous convictions for burglary and theft.