A MAN broke into a 96-year-old woman’s bedroom and stole a medal belonging to her late husband while she slept.

Thomas Somarakis helped himself to cash, jewellery and an ornament in the burglary and even poured himself a drink in one of the elderly victim’s cups.

The 19-year-old was jailed at Oxford Crown Court on Friday after admitting burglary.

Judge Charles Elly said that the victim was an “elderly, infirm lady” who “used a walker and had an alarm to call for help”.

He said that Somarakis crept into the woman’s bedroom as she slept and stole the items, worth about £1,000.

Judge Elly said he “could not imagine” the sentimental value of the items, which included a Rotary Club medal awarded to her late husband.

He said: “Her links with that must be quite considerable.”

The offence took place between May 6 and 9 this year in Chalmore Gardens, Wallingford.

Somarakis, of Radnor Road, Wallingford, also admitted breaching a previous community order and was jailed for two years.