A burglar who stole a couple's cherished wedding and honeymoon photos has been jailed for three- and-a-half years.

Drug addict Stephen Portman plundered the home of jujitsu instructor Christopher Chmiel and his wife Fiona, in Easton Road, Bristol Crown Court heard this week.

The court was told that, to feed his habit, he grabbed CDs containing the treasured pictures, as well as other items, including a gold locket, which had been in the family for generations.

Portman, 40, of Fishponds Road, Eastville, pleaded guilty to the burglary, which happened in February whilst he was out on licence for a previous offence.

Imposing the jail term Judge David Ticehurst told him: "The damage you have caused to this young family is immense.

"They are unable to replace their wedding and honeymoon photographs or other items of sentimental value. Although your counsel says you very much regret the offence, you have done absolutely nothing to help the family retrieve these items."

James Ward, prosecuting, said the family returned home on a Wednesday at 5.45pm to find their front door unlocked and a kitchen window open.

Mr Ward said: "Clothing and property was strewn across the house and property was stolen, including discs containing photographs of great sentimental value which cannot be replaced.

"Also stolen was a gold locket which had been in the family for six generations, which Mr Chmiel's wife wore on her wedding day, a samurai sword and a plaque with a Japanese inscription."

The raid, in which £3,000 worth of items were grabbed, occurred the day before Mr Chmiel's birthday and left Mrs Chmiel unable to go into her back garden for fear of prowlers, Mr Ward said.

The couple was "very much more security conscious" as a result.

Melissa Tuney, defending, told the court her client was approached by a man who asked him to help in a break-in.

She said: "He took an opportunity which presented itself.

"Drug dependency is quite an issue in his circumstances and intrinsically linked to his offending.

"The proceeds were used mainly for drug dependency."

Miss Tuney said her client accepted he made a bad decision.

She said he was reducing his heroin substitute prescription and was in a relationship with a woman from the Birmingham area who was expecting their child in August.