A prolific burglar has been locked up after admitting breaking-into 12 homes – including that of his own heartbroken aunt.

Ryan Worth, 31, targeted the properties in Macclesfield and Congleton in a bid to fund his heroin addiction.

He left a trail of evidence including blood and fingerprints at the homes where he stole jewellery and electrical items.

Worth even stole a pair of shorts, which he was found wearing when he was arrested.

At Chester Crown Court Worth, of no fixed abode in Macclesfield, admitted 12 charges of burglary and three charges of theft.

Sentencing him to four and half years in prison, Judge Alan Conrad QC said: “Burglary causes fear and panic in householders.

“Their homes are violated. It is very upsetting for them and that experience was very clear hearing from the victims, including your very own aunt.”

The court heard that Worth’s crime spree started when he ransacked his aunt’s house on Ambleside Close, Macclesfield, on July 6 where he stole a television, jewellery and loose change, leaving a trail of damage.

In a victim impact statement, his aunt said: “I felt physically sick when I learnt it was Ryan. The heartache was overwhelming. It hurt me and my sister.”

Worth then set his sights on Congleton. On July 20 after breaking into a house on Burns Road to steal jewellery, he came face to face with the owner’s daughter before running off.

On July 26 he broke into a property in Guernsey Close stealing jewellery and an iPod, which was tracked to a secondhand shop and then traced back to Worth. The next day Worth stole jewellery from a house on Woolston Avenue, then injured himself breaking into a property on Avon Drive and stole a tea towel he used to stem the bleed, a court heard.

Worth then returned to Macclesfield and on August 2 stole a sports bag, a pair of shorts and jewellery from a house in Cherryfields Road.

His fingerprints were found at the scene and when he was arrested Worth was found wearing the stolen shorts and carrying the stolen bag.

Worth also admitted an additional six burglaries in the area, as well as the theft of wine from the Co-op in Macclesfield on July 13, milk from a property in Bollington on July 13 and a bike on March 14.

Julian Farley, defending Worth, said: “These offences were caused by a heroin addiction and a drug debt. He is extremely remorseful, especially that he targeted his aunty’s house. He cannot believe he did that.

“He plans to make a fresh start somewhere else when he is released, because he knows he won’t be welcome back in Macclesfield.”