A BURGLAR who broke into an elderly couple’s home as they slept and stole possessions, including a treasured wartime photograph, has been jailed.

Bolton Crown Court heard how the 82-year-old pensioner had kept the picture of his father, who served in the forces in World War One.

But it was taken, along with cash, two wallets and three mobile phones, by thief Christopher Lomax when he broke into the semi-detached home at Ashcombe Drive, Radcliffe, which the victim has shared with his 81-year-old wife for 35 years.

Michael Brady, prosecuting, told how the elderly couple had gone to bed on the evening of August 20 but the wife was awoken at 11pm when she heard someone in the hallway.

Thinking it was morning and it was her daughter’s daily visit, the wife went downstairs to be met by 33-year-old Lomax crouching down by a table rummaging through their possessions.

Mr Brady said: “Despite the frightening situation she confronted Lomax, who had his hood up.

Lomax told her, "It’s all right love" before running off into the hallway with three mobile phones, cash and two wallets, together worth £900.

The pensioner called her daughter who phoned the police.

Lomax was caught by the fingerprint he left when he broke into the property, smashing a glass pane in the front door using a stone.

But Judge Timothy Stead was told that the treasured family photograph has never been found.

The same night, at 5.30am, Lomax also burgled a house half a mile away in Winston Close where he stole a Playstation and cash, running off when he disturbed the owner as he opened their bedroom door.

Lomax, of Gingham Park, Radcliffe, has two previous convictions for house burglaries and pleaded guilty to the two new offences.

Judge Stead jailed him for 876 days and ordered that he pay a £900 criminal courts charge plus £120 victim surcharge.