A burglar escaped a three-year jail sentence after a plea to the court by his mother on Monday.

James Smith broke into her home when she was in bed and stole her purse.

It was Smith's third conviction for burglary, qualifying him for a long sentence under the "three strikes rule", Worcester Crown Court heard.

But defence counsel Laura Kasasian said his mother sent a letter to the court begging for leniency.

Smith, aged 35, of Abbey View, Pinvin, near Pershore, was jailed for 18 months.

Recorder John Freeman said: "It was a mean offence but her plea to me does make it wrong for a three-year sentence. You should be grateful to her."

Smith, a heroin addict, had a record of 63 previous offences, mostly to feed his habit.

He broke into the house on June 15 after his mother had gone to bed following a party.

She had left a window open. Smith's fingerprints were found at the point of entry by police.

He became estranged from his parents because of his offending but had now made it up with his mother, said Miss Kasasian.

It had been made clear that if Smith wanted to return home, he should kick drugs and get a job.

Miss Kasasian said the father-of-two was undergoing drug testing in jail and hoped to beat the addiction.