A WOLLESCOTE drug addict who burgled his neighbour’s home while the family were away on holiday has been locked up for four years.

Damien Hill carried out the raid while he was on bail for stealing fuel belonging to the scaffolding firm where he worked, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The 32-year-old used a fuel card to obtain £165 worth of petrol from the Murco garage in Cradley Heath when he was not authorised, said Duncan Craig prosecuting.

Hill, of Vicars Walk, had denied burgling the house and stealing electrical goods, but he was found guilty after a jury retired to consider the evidence at the end of his trial.

Judge Martin Walsh told Hill, who admitted stealing the petrol, that his neighbours had returned to find a substantial amount of property had been taken from their home.

A rear window in the house had been smashed to gain access and a small drop of blood was found by investigating police officers at the point of entry.

Mr Wash said Hill had a bad criminal record containing 27 previous convictions including 11 other burglaries at dwellings in the area.

Jas Mann, defending the father of three, said it was accepted there had been some planning to the raid because Hill knew the family were away on holiday.

“He has been struggling with his addiction to Class A drugs for some considerable time,” said Mr Mann. “His life has been blighted by drugs.”

He added: “Once he is in the grip of his addiction he does what comes naturally to someone who cannot buy drugs, but he is now determined to rid himself of this addiction.”