A burglar who broke into an elderly woman’s house and stole her late husband’s wedding ring has been sent to prison.

Stephen Hempenstall, 34, used tools to break into Joan Horner’s detached home in Broughton Avenue, Adlington, Macclesfield, one afternoon when she went out shopping with a friend.

A hearing at Chester Crown Court was told he was under the influence of cocaine and searched every room before taking electrical items and jewellery, including the wedding ring of the late Mr Horner.

The court heard Hempenstall has an ‘unenviable’ criminal record. He featured in the Express in August last year for running out of magistrates court moments after being given a prison sentence for burglary.

Judge Nicholas Woodward told him his victim had been left ‘extremely distressed’ as he sentenced him to three years in prison.

Prosecuting, Anna Pope said: “Items including a heart-shaped pendant were recovered and the following day police attended and more jewellery was recovered.

“A ring is still missing which was bought 26 years ago with a value of £450. The victim was extremely distressed, she’s 87 and living alone.

“Damage was caused to the garage door and tools were found nearby including a chisel and a spade.”

Hempenstall, of no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty to the burglary which took place on January 22 at an earlier hearing but changed his plea.

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The court heard he was under licence conditions for an earlier prison sentence at the time of the offence.

Defending, Patrick Williamson said it was an ‘opportunistic burglary’ and he had not targeted the victim, adding: “His greatest mitigation is his guilty plea.

“He’s completed a drug course in custody and is using his time in prison productively.

“Hopefully he will break the cycle of crime and drugs.”

Judge Woodward said: “It’s clear you had a pre-arranged plan to burgle the property. You took a large amount of jewellery and most was of particular sentimental value and included the wedding ring of her husband who had died recently.

“With offences such as this the victim feels extremely distressed and you can imagine the concern a lady of this age would have felt.”

A second man who denies being involved will stand trial at a later date.