A BURGLAR struck twice in successive nights in June at Worcestershire houses where the occupants were asleep, Worcester Crown Court was told.

They came down in the morning to find their homes had been ransacked and valuable property taken, said Paul Whitfield, prosecuting.

But the intruder left behind a clue - a footprint in a flower tub outside a window and another on the kitchen work surface at one house and another footprint outside the second house.

Police found the trainers which left the telltale marks at the home of 27-year-old Spencer Carter in Park Street, Kidderminster. He first claimed he had loaned the trainers to a friend but later admitted the burglaries.

Carter, who also admitted having a small quantity of heroin, was jailed for two-and-a-half years for the raids on the houses in Peel Street and Woodfield Crescent, both Kidderminster.

He was said by his counsel, James McCracken, to be "a bright young man" who had five O-levels. He had been involved intermittently with drugs throughout his life but was now on a drug-free wing in prison and was trying to kick the habit.

Judge Ian Morris said drug addiction was an explanation for crime but not an excuse. Carter had artistic talent and wanted a career in counselling.

But burglary could have a devastating effect. One of the women victims was so affected that she had considered moving house because of the invasion of her privacy.