A BURGLARY victim was so badly traumatised by her ordeal that she jumped at the slightest noise, suffered depression and had to take time off work, Southampton Crown Court was told.

Heather Walter was in bed when she heard a vehicle being revved outside her home.

Coming downstairs to investigate, she not only realised that it was her family car being driven away, but she also discovered that electronic goods, including a television and a laptop, had been stolen and her dog had been let out.

Prosecutor, James Kellam, said her £6,000 Toyota, which she was still paying for, was wrecked when the thief crashed it into a gatepost on the Eling toll bridge.

The man responsible was a neighbour, Daniel Barr, 18, of Warren Place, Calmore, who admitted burglary and the aggravated taking and driving away of her car. He was jailed for 27 months and banned from driving for 18 months.

After hearing that the teenager had not passed a driving test, Judge Gary Burrell, QC, told him: “You have been out of control for some time and, on this occasion, when drunk and, to a certain extent, under the influence of drugs, you broke into the house.”

On his behalf, Robert Bryant said Barr had reached a turning point: “It is a frightening experience appearing at the crown court. It has been a salutary experience. He recognises that he has a drug problem and has started treatment in custody.”