FOUR puppies died from 'stress' as a result of a 'terrifying' burglary at an Oxfordshire home, a court heard.

The house owner of the Bampton break-in had to escape through a loft space while burglar Joseph Jones threw items around the house downstairs.

The 33-year-old of Shergold Road, Bampton, had already admitted one count of burglary with intent to steal and another count of burglary.

Prosecutor Jane Brady said at his sentencing hearing at Oxford Crown Court this morning that during one late-night break-in on July 29 in Bampton the mother of the four puppies lost the litter as a result of 'stress'.

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She added that the home owner had to scurry through a loft space and into a neighbour's home to escape while the house was ransacked.

Jones was later found that night in a field nearby.

He had also admitted another break-in in Witney on July 14 where a window was smashed before a mobile phone and a laptop were snatched.

In mitigation at yesterday's hearing defence barrister Rhianna Fricker said her client was a 'hard worker and a loyal person' but added he had a long-standing drug addiction.

She said that Jones would spend about £300 a day on cocaine to feed his habit.

Sentencing, Judge Peter Ross said: "Your drug habit has been terrifying, it is terrifying in terms of the consequences to the public and it is clearly now terrifying to you.

"You pleaded guilty to two offences of burglary. The second was a truly terrifying incident."

He said he would defer sentence for six months to March 2 next year.

In the meantime Jones will be made subject to drug rehabilitation, a condition of residence and an electronically tagged overnight curfew.

He must also save money as compensation for his victims and attend monthly reviews at court.