A former Oxford college cleaner who stole a ring which belonging to playwright Oscar Wilde has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment.

Eamonn Andrews, 42, of no fixed address, stole the ring and two rowing medals, worth a total of £37,000, from Magdalen College -- his former place of work.

He admitted one count of burglary at a previous court hearing.

Oxford Crown Court heard, yesterday, that the stolen items were irreplacable. They have not been recovered since Andrews sold them to a scrap dealer for £150.

Paul Reid, prosecuting, said Andrews used his knowledge of Magdalen to climb into the building through a skylight in the early hours of May 2.

After drinking whisky in the college bar, he entered the Old Library and took the 18-carat gold friendship ring, given by Wilde and his friend Reginald Harding to William Ward, by smashing a display cabinet.

Forensic experts found traces of blood at the scene which, when tested, revealed DNA evidence linking Andrews to the crime.

Julie Hopkins, defending, said Andrews' original intention in breaking in was to gather evidence of an affair between his wife, the head gardener at the college, and another man.

Andrews married his wife last year, but the relationship broke down shortly afterwards, which, according to Ms Hopkins, left Andrews depressed and in need of psychiatric help.

The ring formed part of an extensive collection of Wilde memorabilia owned by the college.

A Henley Royal Regatta Grand Challenge Cup medal, from 1910, and a silver and a bronze medal, presented to RFG Sarell in 1932, were also stolen in the burglary.

Judge Peter Crawford said: "This was a mean, contemptible offence which was nothing to do with any disagreement with your wife.

"You went into the college, selected an expensive piece of jewellery using your knowledge of the building, and took it."

Andrews is already serving a six-year prison sentence for robbery. The new sentence will run concurrently.