Two men who callously burgled the home of an elderly widow as she lay dead in the bathroom have been jailed at Bradford Crown Court.

Sentencing 22-year-old Roy Ambler to four years, Recorder Graham Hyland QC told him: "This was a callous and despicable offence. Knowing that the former occupant was dead you continued to burgle her premises, no doubt adding to the distress of her family and friends.''

Ambler, formerly of Cotewall Road, West Bowling, Bradford, admitted breaking into the flat of 69-year-old Irene Capper in Stuart Court, Swarland Grove, Little Horton.

Joseph Dresler, 25, of Mansfield House, Holme Wood, Bradford, admitted being involved in the burglary last September.

Sentencing him to two years, Recorder Hyland said: "You played your part in depriving her of her property.''

Andrew Semple, prosecuting, said Mrs Capper had been widowed a few months earlier and was in poor health, with respiratory problems and restricted mobility.

On the evening of the break-in she had spoken by telephone to her sister but later died from a brain haemorrhage.

"Unfortunately the first two people to find her were the two defendants, who chose that evening to burgle her home,'' said Mr Semple.

The court heard there was a conflict between Ambler and Dresler over their roles in the burglary.

Ambler insisted they had committed the offence together and said he had not wanted to be in the flat after seeing Mrs Capper in the bathroom.

"I was just shocked," he added. "Joseph said he was withdrawing and we should just grab something quickly.''

He said that until his arrest in January he had felt "scared, guilty and ashamed'' every day.

Dresler claimed he only became involved when Ambler came back from the flat and asked for his help.

Nicholas Johnson, for Ambler, said it was a joint decision to commit the offence and his client had initially wanted to leave but had been persuaded by Dresler to stay.

He took a television, which he later sold for £50, and other things were bagged up by his co-accused, added Mr Johnson. Ambler denied any involvement with any jewellery.

Kerry Macgill, for Dresler, said his client was only present when Ambler went to the flat on a second occasion.

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