TWO burglars who stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery in a crime spree were jailed at Gloucester Crown Court today.

The sole carer of his disabled mother, Benjamin Griffiths, 23, of Sunground, Avening stole because he was in financial difficulties - while 21-year-old Maxamillion Grunfeld of Bownham Park, Rodborough Common, Stroud stole to fund his gambling addiction.

Both were jailed for 14 months.

Judge William Hart told the defendants, who admitted house burglary that people who burgle dwellings "must realise they will go to prison."

He added: "The public would be outraged if you did not go to prison.

“Besides the jewellery you stole being of significant monetary value, there was great sentimental value too.

Earlier prosecuting barrister Janine Wood said: "In March of this year jewellery valued at between £2,000 and £3,000 and a quantity of money was taken from the bedroom of a house in Frampton Mansell along with a Playstation.

"The second burglary in the same month resulted in items of jewellery - rings and necklaces - worth £7,500, another £7,500, £300 and £150 being stolen.

Representing Grunfeld, lawyer Nicola Colwill said: "There was an element of planning as the two went together.

"Both have tried to recover the property and they are most remorseful.

"My client has a gambling addiction and spent a large inheritance gambling.

"He has brought shame on himself and his family and he needs to grow up, but if he is sent to prison he will get the wrong sort of growing up."

Defending Griffiths, solicitor William Woodman said "This was completely out of character and my client is not your normal sort of offender.

"He is the sole carer for his mother who is bi-polar and disabled and he has been struggling to look after her and his partner. He has been under financial pressure and if he is sent to prison his family will suffer and there is a chance he will come out worse than when he went in."

When the defendants were sentenced they burst into tears and family members in the public gallery also sobbed.