A "committed, habitual burglar" from Radcliffe stole hundreds of pounds and broke into an elderly couple’s home.

Mark Heathcote broke into two homes on Ainsworth Road in Bury on two consecutive days in June this year, stealing cash, bank cards and a pint of milk from a victim’s fridge.

Prosecutor Rhianydd Clement told Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court that the 43-year-old targeted the homes on June 19 and 20.

On Monday, June 19, Heathcote forced his way into a resident's home before stealing a debit and credit card, £20 cash, 50 Euros and a pint of milk. He later used the bankcard at around 3am the next day.

The court was told that Healthcote returned to the street at around 7pm, where he was discovered hiding in the upstairs bedroom of a second property belonging to a husband and wife aged 89 and 90.

Upon his discovery, Heathcote told the couple he was homeless and asked for a drink.

He then left and returned to the first property where he was seen “swinging a pint of milk in his hand".

Ms Clement, prosecuting, told the court that Heathcote had returned to the first address “repeatedly to steal the items".

She said: “He is 42 years of age and has 21 convictions, he has 13 previous convictions for dwelling burglary dating between 1996 and 2019.

However, Ms Clement added that there was no evidence that Heathcote had targeted the elderly couple due to their “vulnerabilities".

Heathcote was later arrested at his home on Water Street, Radcliffe, after committing the offences while on licence for a previous conviction.

He pleaded guilty to one count of burglary at a home with intent to steal and one count of burglary dwelling and theft.

Edward Steele, defending, said: “He is a third or more strike burglary.

"I would very respectfully (ask Your Honour) to take into account totality and wonder if the sentence could be dealt with concurrently.

“He is sorry, he has problems from his childhood having lived in a children home, but we are where we are with the guidelines.”

Judge Tina Landale called Heathcote “a committed and habitual burglar.”

She said: “It is your career choice. You set out with the sole purpose of burglary.

“It seems that even after being found upstairs in the house of an 89- and 90-year-old-couple, realising as you must that they were frightened, you left and went back to the other property that you were intent on burglarising.”

Judge Landale handed Heathcote a sentence of three years and four months in prison.

“Who knows, this time perhaps there will be some change,” she added.