A drug addict who burgled two homes made an impassioned plea to a judge that after almost 30 years of abusing heroin and crack cocaine he was finally ready to kick the habit.

James Nevin, who has hepatitis, said in an eloquent address from the dock: “I take full responsibility for my actions.

“I never intended to commit these offences. I was out of my head when I did this. That is not an excuse. I am 40 now. I realise I am not going to make old bones.

“I have a son. He is a straight goer. If I do die at some point, at least he can say, ‘Say what you like about my dad, but he turned it around in the end’.

Judge Julian Smith told the repeat offender it may be true that he was ready to reform, but he had to impose a significant jail sentence of four years.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Nevin targeted two homes of elderly victims who lived wide apart – one in Ashford and the other in Farningham.

Prosecutor Matthew Turner said the retired owner of a house in Canterbury Road, Kennington, returned on March 1 this year to find her doors had been forced open with a hoe.

Silver cutlery and other property worth about £500 and £120 cash were stolen.

Eight days later the owner of a house in Oliver Crescent, Farningham, returned home and discovered a window had been smashed with a brick.

Mr Turner said a large amount of jewellery was taken. The value of the haul could not be given but the list of items stolen came to one-and-a-half pages.

Nevin, of no fixed address, was arrested after his DNA was found on the hoe and his blood was at the scene of the second burglary. He admitted committing both offences.

He had extensive convictions for dishonesty, including several for burglary. He was on licence having been released from a 40-month sentence for burglary in February.

Judge Smith told Nevin: “I am told by you eloquently you are determined to address and overcome your addiction.

“I accept your assertions reflect your best intentions but this is an addiction of 28 years.

“Courts have given you chances in the past.

“You maintain you are more ready than you have ever been. That may be true. I hope it is.”