A prolific burglar who took advantage of the noisiness of Bonfire Night to steal £3,000 worth of jewellery has been spared jail.

Richard Bond, of Lower Bevendean Avenue, Brighton, appeared at Hove Crown Court on Thursday and admitted one count of burglary.

The 41-year-old has a long history of convictions, the court was told.

Mary Walford, prosecuting, told the court he used a garden ornament to smash into a home in Buckingham Place, Shoreham, on November 5, 2013.

He smeared his blood around the house and stole valuable jewellery.

The victim’s account of what happened was read out in court.

She said she had become “confrontational” to people who approached her door since the burglary, scared they might target her.

“I feel vulnerable,” she admitted.

“I’m scared the man who burgled me will return.”

The court was told he first burgled a home in 1987 and had 18 previous convictions.

Kirsty Craghill, defending, said: “It’s extremely unpleasant.”

She agreed nothing could “justify” what Bond had done, explaining he needed cash at the time of the incident.

Judge Michael Lawson QC ordered Bond to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, ordered him to obey a three-month curfew, pay the victim £500 compensation and a £60 victim surcharge.