A BURGLAR who ransacked a young sailor's room will be better off in prison than facing war with Iraq.

That is the angry verdict of Sara Foster whose son is on the Ark Royal with the British fleet in the Gulf.

Mrs Foster, of Gilgal, Stourport, said she was both happy and infuriated with the news Beau Broadhurst is now locked up for nearly four years for the crime against her son Steven Barnes.

She told the Shuttle/Times and News: "I'm over the moon. I think everybody in Stourport is elated. Steven Barnes

"But what really annoys me is he'll be getting three meals a day, be able to watch telly, and sleep on a warm bed at night - this guy has got it cushy whereas my son is risking his life out there for a low-life like him.

"Knowing his previous history I don't think four years will do really.

"But I can't do anything about it because that's how the system goes. It's not justice and I feel cheated."

The care worker added: "I'm really glad he has gone to prison but at the same time I know his life will be easier now.

"He could be in bed for 10 hours a day for all I know and my son is in a worse position because he works four hours on and four hours off - Steven can't escape that."

Broadhurst, 28, of The Slad, Stourport, and accomplice Lee Sandford, 21, of Wiveldon Avenue, Wilden, stole goods worth £795 after getting in through Steven's bedroom window at the family home, Worcester Crown Court was told. Both pleaded guilty.

Steven, 21, lost his stereo, Playstation and a £500 gold bracelet, which was given to him by friends in the Navy for his 21st birthday, in the raid last month.

Jailing Broadhurst for three years and 11 months, Judge David Matthews said he had an "appalling" criminal record.

He also broke into homes in Baldwin Lane and Mitton Street, stealing goods worth £898.

Sandford raided the home of a pensioner in The Slad with Glyn Evans in August last year and stole cash being saved in bottles.

Sandford was remanded in custody to be assessed over his suitability for a drug testing and training order as an alternative to jail. He will be sentenced on March 17.

The court heard Evans, 20, Broadhurst's brother, had since died from a drugs overdose.

Adam Western, defending, said Broadhurst and Sandford committed crime to fund their drug habits, and were ashamed.

He said Broadhurst, who has 44 previous offences for dishonesty, was making good progress to kick drugs but had relapsed after the death of his brother.

Mum-of-five Mrs Foster said: "When they stole from my son, they knew Steven was in the Navy. They knew he was heading to the Gulf and still that was how they repaid him."

Now she wants Steven's stolen bracelet back.

"It really means a lot to him and it would be a nice welcome back present for him when he comes home."

She added: "I know it was Steven's choice to join the Navy and he enjoys being in that job. But ultimately he is in the front line defence for this country so we can all have good times.

"I don't think drugs are a good excuse to steal from people. For somebody to just come along and take away the things we've worked hard for is just really not on."

Meanwhile, Steven and the rest of the Ark Royal crew received drawings from pupils at Burlish Park First School. one of the pictures of Britain's Gulf fleet he sent home to his family.

Mrs Foster, 40, said: "Steven is fine. He's still training and is very homesick. But the lovely pictures sent to him by the children of class six, his brother's class, really made him smile.

"They did some drawings of the ship and rabbits which were also sent to the rest of the crew - that really cheered everyone up and I'd like to thank everyone at the school for doing that."