TWO 19-year-olds from Blackwood who were on drugs when they burgled a 77- year-old woman’s house will serve time in a young offenders’ institution.

Zachary Williams, of Trelys Close, Victoria Road, Fleur-de-Lys, was sentenced to 28 months in a young offenders’ institute for two counts of burglary at Newport Crown Court yesterday.

His co-defendant Kieron Morgan, of Sunnybank Road, Blackwood, was sentenced to 12 months in a young offenders’ institute for one count of burglary.

Both defendants had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing. The court heard that on September 4 at around 1am, the two defendants broke into the property of Shirley Morgan, a 77-year-old woman, at her bungalow in Fleur-de-Lys while she was in bed.

John Probert, prosecuting, told the court that Mrs Morgan had heard a crash and saw two males in dark clothing running away from the property.

Personal items were taken as well as £30 in cash and a bank card. The pane in the glass rear door was broken and a car key was found in Williams’ possession on arrest.

Mr Probert said: “Mrs Morgan in her statement said she felt very vulnerable as she lived on her own.

“The police officer who attended said she was visibly distressed at the time.”

“She was initially very shocked and in disbelief when she realised she had been broken into. She was upset that someone had invaded her privacy in her own home and had taken personal items.”

He added: “She said I will not let this ruin my life. So I must let the nightmares go away.”

Around an hour before, Williams had burgled another bungalow in Fleur-de-Lys taking two statues from the kitchen which were later found in a hedgerow and had with his finger prints on.

Williams’ has previously appeared in court on 14 occasions for burgling sheds and garages. Meirion Davies, defending Williams, told the court this is his first appearance for the burglary of a dwelling.

He said: “He has little or no recollection of what happened after he consumed alcohol and drugs that night.”

Mr Davies told the court that Williams was very remorseful having written a letter to the 77-year-old victim. Matthew Cobbe, defending Keiron Morgan, told the court that Morgan had taken valium and had no recollection of that night.

Recorder Mark Powell QC said: “The offences occurred at night time with the occupants in the building who were both single ladies. One of which was 77-years-old.

“Your actions that night caused prolific distress to her.”

Williams was sentenced to eight months for the first burglary and 20 months for the second, to run consecutively.

Morgan will serve 12 months and for breaching a conditional discharge for two offences of theft he will serve seven days each, in total he will serve 12 months, to run concurrently.

Williams will pay a victim surcharge of £120 and Morgan will pay £100.