A WORDSLEY man who repaid his brother's kindness by stealing property worth £9,500 has been jailed for 15 months.

Drug addict Terry Payne, aged 21, was living with his brother while on licence from prison when he took £4,500 in cash, £5,000 worth of jewellery together with a DVD player and computer games console from their home.

On Thursday May 8, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard Payne, of Oak Park Road, committed the offences while his brother was away on holiday.

Judge Michael Challinor said: "This was a most unpleasant offence, Your brother stood by you when no-one else would.

"You repaid his kindness by stealing from him and his partner and the property you took included jewellery which had a sentimental value."

"You knew you were betraying his friendship and his trust and the harm you did both financially and emotionally is significant."

The Judge told Payne, who admitted theft and false representation to obtain money, he accepted he was ashamed of his actions and would reduce the sentence because there was a chance his brother was prepared to forgive him for his crimes.

John Evans, defending, told the hearing Payne had spiralled deeper and deeper into trouble because of his drug problem.

Mr Evans said: "He wants to undo the damage he has done, he is hoping his brother will forgive him and that there will be a reconciliation.

"He knows he has to pull himself together if he is to stay out of trouble."

Julian Elcock, prosecuting, said Payne was released from custody in February from a 30 month sentence imposed for burglary and breaching his ASBO.

He added a number of the items were pawned by Payne who told police officers after his arrest that he wanted to "show off,".