Joseph Cowen, 26, of Suffolk Avenue, Bircotes, was told by a judge: "You chose people you knew were vulnerable."

"It used to be the case you could leave your door open so neighbours could pop in, now you have to lock and bar them," said Judge Tony Mitchell.

The first burglary, on 7th September, was in mid morning when a woman left her back door open for a few minutes, Nottingham Crown Court heard on Monday.

A watch, mobile phone and other property was stolen from a worktop.

Half an hour later, a tin containing £10 was stolen from the windowsill of another bungalow.

But Cowen was seen by a neighbour who recognised him, said Jim Metcalf, prosecuting.

Cowen admitted both offences as well as handling stolen goods, driving with no insurance or licence and attempting to steal a vehicle.

His barrister Richard Thatcher said that Cowen had a long term addiction to drugs but had only one court appearance in the past four years.

He had gone back on heroin after his partner threw him out and he needed to feed his habit.