A burglar ransacked the home of Oxford United player Jamie Brooks in a break-in police described as the worst they had encountered, writes Philip Seton Anderson.

Mark Palmer, 24, of Cuddesdon Way, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, and an accomplice broke into the home of Mr Brooks's parents, Lorraine and Christopher, where the footballer was living at the time.

They sprayed bottles of toiletries on to walls, ruined carpets and damaged doors at the front and back of the house in Peregrine Road, Blackbird Leys, Oxford. They also burnt a motorbike kept in a garden shed.

The burglars took a video, mobile phones, PlayStation and cigarettes.

Mr Brooks, 19, pictured right, a striker, is regarded as one of the best prospects in the country and collected all four player of the year awards at Oxford United last season. But he is recovering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a viral illness which attacks the brain and has kept the striker out of the team this season.

Rachel Drake, prosecuting at Oxford Crown Court yesterday, said the Brooks family were on holiday when Palmer and his accomplice, who has not been charged, raided the home on May 26 last year. Officers found blood in the kitchen which matched that of Palmer, who was staying with his girlfriend in the house next door.

When police questioned Palmer, he claimed his blood was found because he walked into the house after the burglary to help.

But in court yesterday, he admitted burglary and handling stolen goods.

Jamie Porter, defending, said Palmer had taken out a loan to repay the Brooks family.

Judge Paul Clark sentenced Palmer to a total of 120 hours' community punishment and ordered him to pay £5,372 compensation.

Investigating officer Dc Paul Sexton said: "This is the worst burglary I've encountered in the three years I've been on the burglary team.

"Palmer enjoyed damaging the property belonging to the Brooks family to such an extent they've had to move."