An alcoholic who stole from an elderly lady's house has been handed a suspended jail term and ordered to attend treatment sessions.

Philip Harper, 49, admitted charges of burglary and receiving stolen goods when he appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday. 

The court heard how Harper burgled the lady's home in Manwick Road, Felixstowe, on March 23, 2020, while she was away visiting other people, and he was staying down the road at the same time. 

Harper, who now lives in Ipswich, also admitted receiving stolen goods between March 21 and March 25, 2020 after power tools were stolen from a shed. 

The stolen items, which included garden equipment and other household possessions, were recovered close to the home. 

Around £1,100 worth of tools were taken in the theft, and the shed owner supplied CCTV footage to the police, the court heard. 

Steven Dyble, mitigating, said Harper has "turned a corner in his life" and tackled his "entrenched alcohol problem" by seeking support and had now been off alcohol for two years. 

Recorder Sarah Przybylska sentenced Harper to 14 months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with a 70-day alcohol monitoring requirement. 

He must also complete up to 30 rehabilitation activity days.