TWO young burglars who stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery earlier this year sobbed as they were jailed at Gloucester Crown Court on Monday.

The sole carer of his disabled mother, Benjamin Griffiths, aged 23, of Sunground, Avening, stole because he was in financial difficulties while Maxamillion Grunfeld, aged 21, of Bownham Park, Rodborough, turned to crime to fund a gambling addiction, the court heard.Both were jailed for 14 months.

They each admitted burglary and between them asked for five other burglaries to be taken into consideration.Judge William Hart said: “The public would be outraged if you did not go to prison.

"Besides the jewellery you stole being of significant monetary value there was great sentimental value too.

"You went into this with your eyes wide open and the homes and lives of a number of homeowners have been invaded by you.

"Prosecuting barrister Janine Wood said: "In March this year jewellery valued at between £2,000 and £3,000 and a quantity of money was taken from the bedroom of a house in Frampton Mansell along with a PlayStation.

"The second burglary in the same month resulted in items of jewellery, rings and necklaces, worth £7,500, another £7,500, £300 and £150 being stolen.

"One of the victims said that she was worried and felt it was awful someone going through her things while the other victim said she was shocked that someone had entered her home and the ring stolen was of huge sentimental value."

Representing Grunfeld, Nicola Colwill said: "There was an element of planning as the two went together."Both have tried to recover the property and they are most remorseful.

"My client has a gambling addiction and spent a large inheritance gambling."He has brought shame on himself and his family and he needs to grow up but if he is sent to prison he will get the wrong sort of growing up."

Defending Griffiths, William Woodman, said "This was completely out of character and my client is not your normal sort of offender.

"He is the sole carer for his mother who is bipolar and disabled and he has been struggling to look after her and his partner.

"He has been under financial pressure and if he is sent to prison his family will suffer and there is a chance he will come out worse than when he went in.

"When the defendants were sentenced they burst into tears and family members in the public gallery also sobbed.