A DRUG addict who sneaked into his elderly neighbour's home while he was tending his garden and burgled his laptop computer wept with shame as he was locked up for 19 months.

Simon McMinn nodded in agreement in the dock when Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC told him: "It was disgraceful, but you know it, and to your credit you pleaded guilty."

McMinn, 38, of Greatwood Avenue, Skipton, appeared at Bradford Crown Court from custody to be sentenced yesterday after admitting one offence of housebreaking, and three allegations of handling stolen goods.

Prosecutor Camille Morland said he was on police bail for the handling matters when he and an accomplice broke into the pensioner's kitchen and stole his laptop computer on July 23.

The elderly man, who lived alone, relied on the laptop as a social lifeline.

McMinn was apprehended and the laptop recovered when he was seen leaving the property with it stuffed up his jumper.

The handling offences, dating from March and April, came to light when police searched his address. It was being used as a drug den and a dumping ground for stolen property, Miss Morland said.

Recovered items included tools raided from a workman's van, alcohol and a TV set burgled from a house and possessions stolen from a car.

McMinn was committed to the crown court for sentence by Skipton magistrates.

Miss Morland said his string of previous convictions included theft, driving matters and a five year prison sentence for supplying Class A drugs.

His barrister, Katherine Robinson, said he was a drug and alcohol misuser with serious health problems.

He was deeply ashamed of himself for burgling the pensioner's home.

"It is pathetic and a sign of the desperate position he was in at the time," Miss Robinson said.

Judge Durham Hall labelled McMinn "an entrenched drug addict".

He told him: "Your letter indicates that you want to get a grip. I can only hope that you do."