A DRUG user who stole thousands of pounds worth of computers from the University of Worcester to fund his heroin habit has been locked up.

Steven Cross, 36, of Ombersley Road, in Worcester, twice raided the university and also stole computers from a school in Bromsgrove to get cash for drugs, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Recorder Martin Butterfield said 36-year-old Steven Cross had carried out 'professional and planned' burglaries which had netted property worth thousands.

Cross was traced after he tried to sell stolen goods and he told police that he estimated he had obtained £1,000 - far less than the equipment was worth.

Christopher Gibbons, prosecuting, said the first burglary on the Worcester University campus was in October last year. Cross spotted an insecure window which he used late at night to gain entrance and steal I-pads worth £5,500.

Two of them were sold at a city centre money shop for £219 the next day. The pastor of a local church saw one advertised and paid £120 before he realised it was stolen and went to the police.

An investigation was begun and enquiries continued at Aston Fields Middle School, in Bromsgrove, in November, where a window had been broken and an untidy search made of the classrooms and offices.

Two laptops worth £800 each were taken as well as small items of cash. The intruder had left behind a sample of blood which was traced to Cross.

Mr Gibbons said a second raid on university property resulted in 12 i-Pads and 16 chargers being taken. Some contained expensive and vital software.

The recorder estimated that the value of computer equipment stolen was nearly £12,000.

Cross also admitted the theft of a mobile phone which he said he had found in Pump Street. The owner claimed he had left it in his car and Cross admitted trying the doors of a line of locked cars.

The court was told of Cross's previous offences which dated back to 1997. He was sentenced to several days custody as a youth offender and was jailed for five years in 2001 for drug offences.

Richard Hull, defending, said Cross had obtained employment in 2014 for a loft conversion firm but had to find cash to fund his heroin habit. He had a chaotic lifestyle but since he had been in custody he had rid himself of the heroin habit.

The recorder imposed 30 months jail for the burglaries and added four months after admissions to driving offences and failure to attend court.

A spokesman for the university said: “It is very disappointing that anyone would break in to an educational establishment and take equipment that is used for learning purposes.

"This equipment was being used to train high quality teachers who are in such short supply. The university benefits from excellent security and from our close working relationship with West Mercia Police whom we would like to thank for their highly effective work in regards to his matter."