Two burglars who ransacked a house at dead of night and made off with £2,000 worth of property have each been jailed for four years.

The raiders, who struck just before Christmas, stole a safe containing a treasured necklace belonging to the occupier’s late mother, Bradford Crown Court heard on Tuesday.

The woman householder, who lived alone at the address in George Street, Brighouse, was so traumatised that she had since moved home, prosecutor Martin Robertshaw said.

In the dock were Shaan Malik, 27, of Clarendon Road, Whalley Range, Manchester, and Mouaad Selougha, 33, of Manchester Old Road, Middleton, Manchester.

They pleaded guilty to burgling the house in the early hours of December 23 and taking property including jewellery, Christmas presents and a computer.

Malik had 14 previous convictions for 24 offences and was on prison licence after serving a three year and nine month sentence for attempted burglary and handling stolen goods.

Selougha had 20 convictions for 38 offences, including robbery, kidnap, dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He too was on licence at the time of the burglary.

Mr Robertshaw said the men kicked down the front door and ransacked the property, leaving muddy footmarks throughout the house.

The householder described how they “trashed” the living room and kitchen while hunting for their haul.

A neighbour heard a long bang and looked out to see the front door of the address standing wide open. He texted the owner, rang the police and went outside in time to see the men running off with carrier bags of loot.

The police arrived promptly and gave chase, Mr Robertshaw said.

Malik and Selougha were apprehended nearby and some of the stolen property was recovered, but not the irreplaceable necklace.

Both burglars were in dark clothes and had gloves with them.

The court heard that the householder was left “shocked and devastated,” wondering how anyone could stoop so low as to break in at Christmas.

In her victim statement, read out in court, she said the necklace had massive sentimental value.

“If the people who stole it have any heart, they will get it back to me,” she said.

She was so afraid the burglars would return that she had moved house.

She said she used to love her home and relocating to another address had been costly and stressful.

Both defendants refused to answer police questions and at first denied any involvement in the burglary.

Malik was charged with possession of drugs after the police found cannabis and cocaine on him.

Simeon Evans, Malik’s barrister, said he was doing well on licence and was upset and distressed with himself that he had committed the offence.

John Bottomley, for Selougha, said he was about to open a business and had been on a management course to prepare for the venture.

Judge Neil Davey QC jailed Malik for four years for burglary, plus three months to run consecutively for the drugs offences.

Selougha was also jailed for four years, minus 28 days because he had been on an electronically monitored curfew.