A BURGLAR who broke into his former girlfriend's home and stole the Christmas presents she bought for her children has been spared jail.

Bolton magistrates heard how Kellie Warrington had ended her relationship with 31-year-old Mark Booth on December 5 and that evening she locked up her Breightmet home and went to spend the night at a friend's house.

But Andrew Hey, prosecuting, said that when she returned home at 8am the following day her front door had been kicked in and the downstairs of the property trashed.

The Christmas tree had been knocked over, a mirror smashed, food thrown around the room, tiles broken in the kitchen and her children's pram and highchair pushed over.

And five carrier bags full of presents Miss Warrington had bought, ready give to her daughters on Christmas Day, were gone.

Mr Hey said Miss Warrington had met Booth via social media in September last year and they had begun a relationship, with Booth staying at her home at weekends.

"She says he was polite and well mannered towards her," said Mr Hey.

But his attitude changed when she decided they should split.

After finding her home in a state, Miss Warrington contacted Booth's mother, who sent a text back saying the missing presents were at her home.

Booth, of Glenboro Avenue, Bury, refused to comment when arrested by police but later pleaded guilty to burglary.

In a statement read out in court Miss Warrington said:"I am scared of being at home in case he returns.

"When I saw the Christmas presents had gone I just cried because I have no money and was worried the kids would not have presents for Christmas."

Emma Hassall, defending, said: "He is very sorry for this offence, which was committed in drink."

She added that he is now having treatment for depression and wants a clean break with Miss Warrington.

Booth was sentenced to 20 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months and must undertake 15 days of rehabilitation activity and complete a building better relationships programme.

He must also pay £165 in costs and £300 compensation to Miss Warrington.

Sentencing, chairman of the bench, David Hailstone told Booth: "This was a particularly despicable offence. It really is appalling."

Speaking after the sentencing, 24-year-old Miss Warrington said the theft had spoiled Christmas.

She said she had been frightened her daughters Gracie-May, aged five and Evie-Lilly, two, would miss out of the Frozen and Peppa Pig gifts she had been collecting for them for weeks.

She fears Booth had been planning to hand the gifts, worth a total of £158, to other children as Christmas presents and she would not have been able to afford replacements.

"I didn't think I would get them back," she said.

"I didn't sleep, I was so scared of him coming back to the house. We had to go and stay with my mum."