A 24-YEAR-OLD Crohn's Disease victim and heroin addict who burgled homes in the Dursley area to fuel his heroin addiction was jailed for 29 months.

Ashley Jewsbury, of Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, pleaded guilty at Gloucester Crown Court to burgling houses at Four Ways, North Nibley, and Three Ways, Lower Wick, on September 27 last year with intent to steal.

He also admitted the burglary of a home in Barton Street, Gloucester, from which he stole electronic items and jewellery on September 23.

A screwdriver he left at the scene of one of the burglaries was found to have his DNA on it.

Jewsbury also pleaded guilty to a further offence of being carried in a Suzuki Vitara which had been taken without consent between September 24 and 27.

Defence solicitor Joe Maloney said on Thursday, February 5, that Jewsbury has health issues in that he suffers from Crohn's Disease, a debilitating bowel condition, and needs six weekly treatment.

Prosecuting barrister Janine Woods said: "An elderly resident at North Nibley heard a thump outside her home at 5am and saw the defendant.

"She called the police and a window was found to be damaged. Footprints outside matched those found at the Barton Street property.

"He has two previous dwelling house burglaries to his name and is therefore a three strike burglar

"He has admitted a heroin addiction and said that he sold the property to buy drugs.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC said: "He suffers from a most unpleasant disease and for that I have some sympathy but I have no sympathy at all for his burglaries."