A DRUG addict burgled his parents' home twice, a court was told.

Richard Williams, 28, was eventually caught red-handed by the police hiding in a wardrobe with a quantity of his mother's jewellery in his pocket, prosecutor James Wilson told Cardiff crown court.

Williams, of Haisbro Avenue, Newport, had pleaded guilty before Newport magistrates to two charges of burglary and was committed to the crown court for sentence.

He received a two year drugs rehabilitation order.

Judge Patrick Curran told him: "You committed very mean offences indeed in burgling your parent's house."

The court heard that Williams had been in custody for the last two months.

The judge said: "It is much more in the public interest for you to be released from prison."

The judge said that in the past Williams had suffered "a terrifying attack" and had afterwards been subject to post traumatic stress disorder.

Mr Wilson said that on February 10 when his parents went on holiday, Williams broke into their home in Chepstow Road, Newport, through a rear window and stole a £700 television which he sold for £150.

The following day he again broke in but the police were alerted and found him in the wardrobe.

Williams' counsel, Nigel Fryer said he had wrestled with addiction to drugs for a long time.

Williams, he said had been in contact with his parents and there was now "some reconciliation."

He added: "Drugs is his problem. The offences were mean but he is not a classic burglar."