A MAN who broke into a 95-year-old woman's home late at night with intent to steal has been jailed for a total of 20 months at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Two months later Roderick Kennedy staged a break-in at another property in Kelso and again left empty-handed after being disturbed.

The 36-year-old of Roxburgh Street in Kelso pleaded guilty to the two offences which happened at houses in Bowmont Street and Croft Road on April 18 and June 13, respectively.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser described how Kennedy forced his way into the 95-year-old's home at about 11.50pm by breaking some glass panels.

She was woken by Kennedy shining a torch in her direction and asked who was there.

Kennedy replied 'It's black police'.

Mr Fraser said the woman was unsure of what the response meant but had confirmed it was in a local accent.

The pensioner immediately dialled 999 and Kennedy left the scene.

But finger prints were found on a glass table and some alcohol bottles had been disturbed.

Kennedy also forced his way into a property in Croft Road but was spotted by someone who recognised him and he tried to leave by jumping a fence.

A confrontation took place during which Kennedy suffered a fractured nose and a damaged eye socket.

Kennedy was apprehended by police when the fingerprint examination results came back confirming it was him and he was interviewed about both matters.

Defence lawyer Mark Harrower blamed Kennedy's reliance on alcohol consumption for the offences.

He added his client did not know the house he entered was occupied by a 95-year-old woman adding: "He was horrified when he heard that."

Sheriff Peter Paterson said that even without taking into account Kennedy's previous convictions the first option of the court would be a custodial sentence for the offences.

He added that looking at Kennedy's record a prison term was inevitable.

Sheriff Paterson said: "These are serious matters."

He imposed jail sentences of 10 months for each of the break-ins - to run consecutively.