A 38-year-old drug addict, who carried out a string of burglaries in Bradford even stealing from his own mother, has been jailed for more than three years.

Steven Gibson, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to five counts of burglary and one of attempted burglary, when he appeared at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

Gibson broke into homes in Eccleshill, Tong, and Gilstead, as well as a working men’s club, carrying out the burglaries over a four month period between September and December last year. He stole jewellery, watches, cash and perfume.

The court head how Gibson had an extensive record dating back to 1998 and that he had been jailed for seven years in 2011 so was out on licence at the time of his latest crimes.

Judge Colin Burn sentenced Gibson to three years and eight months, saying: “You would have just carried on if you hadn’t been arrested for this recent spate of burglaries.”

Prosecutor Alisha Kaye outlined how Gibson had used his sister’s spare key to enter his mother’s house on Moorside Road in Eccleshill on September 12 last year.

He had entered the house while his mother was out walking her dog, and had hid under the bed when she returned.

He lied about how they had run out of toilet paper at his sister’s house next door, said Miss Kaye. Later his mother discovered two gold and sapphire rings were missing, including her aunt’s engagement ring.

A second offence involved a woman and her nine-year-old daughter who returned to their home in Primrose Lane, Tong, shortly after 6pm on December 1, interrupting Gibson who was breaking in.

“She noticed there was a blue holdall by the front door and there was a hole in the door and a shovel nearby,” said Miss Kaye.

Gibson snatched his holdall and ran off. “The daughter screamed in terror as he ran past her, saying he was sorry,” she added.

As well as two more house burglaries and an attempted burglary, Gibson also stole cash from Eccleshill Working Men’s Club on November 10.

Miss Kaye said that Gibson was traced to an address in Bradford on December 31, and initially gave police a false name.

Ash Khullar, for Gibson, said his client had been released from prison in January last year and had made attempts to stay off drugs.

But he began associating with the same people again and relapsed.

“He is genuinely ashamed of his behaviour,” adding that Gibson had returned the stolen rings to his mother.

Judge Burn added: “It is quite obvious that the reason you committed these burglaries is because you are unable to successfully address your Class A drug habit.

“As is so often the case, those who are closest are the softest target.”

He added of the offence he considered the most serious: “There was a confrontation, not just with the householder, but with her nine-year-old daughter, which must have been terrifying for her.”