A BURGLAR "ransacked" a woman’s home stealing more than £20,000 worth of possessions.

Michael Terence Sadler stole jewellery, a laptop, alcohol and items of "high sentimental value which were absolutely irreplaceable".

The 27-year-old and others who he refused to name due to “fear of reprisals” forced their way into the property in Lake Grove Road, New Milton.

They removed a window from its frame and left personal belongings strewn across the floor, a court heard.

The woman who lived there had been to visit her daughter in London on February 15 this year but when she returned the next day "she felt something was not right".

She found doors and windows wide open and that her home was dirty and covered in mud.

Prosecution barrister, Lucie Taylor, told how the woman's total loss was estimated to be around £20,150.

Some of this included irreplaceable jewellery passed down to her from her parents.

However, police were able to trace Sadler using DNA left at the scene.

They attended his address on April 21 but following a search were unable to find any of the stolen property.

Sadler of Ringwood Road, Walkford, gave a no comment interview and was later charged with one count of burglary to which he pleaded guilty.

He has previous convictions from 2014 for aggravated vehicle taking, driving with no insurance and failing to report an accident.

A victim impact statement read out in court told how Sadler’s victim felt terrified, scared and traumatised following the burglary.

She said the crime had had profound and serious consequences and that she no longer feels safe or secure in her own home.

Defending, Keeley Harvey, said that first and foremost her client wanted to apologise to his victim directly for his actions which he is said to be extremely ashamed of.

Ms Harvey argued that Sadler - a father of two who is expecting another child with his partner - had been dragged along.

Furthermore, his amount of the haul amassed to only about £500 in total.

Judge Peter Henry said: "When she returned she found her house had been ransacked".

He deemed it an extremely serious burglary and jailed Sadler for 21 months.