A thief who walked into a private home and was caught by a vulnerable woman claimed he thought he had walked into a church and was "sightseeing".

Despite being asked to leave several times, Darren Wright insisted he thought he was visiting a church when he lifted a wallet containing cash and credit cards on June 29.

John Healy, who came home to find his vulnerable partner confronting the burglar, said: “I am disgusted that someone thinks it acceptable to walk into my home.

“My partner Sue had been so worried by being confronted by a strange man in her home, she struggled to sleep in her own bed for a few nights after.”

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Mr Healy's wallet was found by a neighbour, but missing cash and his American Express card.

Wright, 42, was adamant that he thought it was a church and not a private house, Lewes Crown Court heard.

The court heard Wright had only been released from custody ten months before this offence and had been making significant progress after moving to the coast from London.

A search of his home in Seaview Avenue, Peacehaven, found a knuckle duster in a drawer.

He was jailed for 25 months after admitting stealing the wallet.