A HEROIN addict who stole a wedding ring in a £8,500 burglary has been jailed for three years at Worcester Crown Court.

Robert Lamb broke into the unoccupied house in Comberton Road, Kidderminster, through a garage.

Five days earlier he terrified a householder at night with a stab threat after he was caught trying to break into a shed in Chester Road South.

Lamb, 26, of Bewdley Road, Kidderminster, pleaded guilty to burglary and attempted burglary.

Prosecutor Nicolas Cartwright said Lamb disturbed Robert Harris who saw his shed light come on in the early hours and went to investigate.

Mr Harris chased away Lamb and an accomplice but caught the defendant and ended up in a struggle with him.

Lamb claimed he had a knife and threatened to "stick" Mr Harris with it before getting away. Mr Harris told police he never saw a blade produced.

On November 29 last year, Lamb raided the house and got away with a video and jewellery which included wedding and eternity rings.

He was arrested a week later and a forensic scientist matched prints at the break-in with his footwear.

He told police he was after a mower in the shed and had sold the house contents, which were not recovered, to fund his drug addiction.

Lamb had a record for a string of burglaries between 1988 and 1999.

Defending, Laban Leake said he needed possessions to sell in order to pay off debts.

The shed crime was committed on the way home from a party. Mr Leake said: "It must have been very frightening for the owner. But no weapon was produced."

Judge Marten Coates said the offences were committed just two months after Lamb was given community service for burglary.

He had threatened to stab a brave householder and had an appalling criminal record, the judge added.