TWO homeless, formerly drug-addicted brothers have been sentenced at Plymouth Crown Court after a terrifying break-in.

Residents at a flat in Haddington Road in Stoke woke up around 5.50am on January 23 to hear two voices with local accents.

Brothers John and Alexander Brock had broken into their friend's flat through a conservatory.

John Brock was later caught and pleaded guilty to burgling the flat, stealing a TV digibox, a bank card and a vacuum cleaner.

His brother initially denied involvement but later pleaded guilty to stealing a sat-nav from a Vauxhall parked outside.

These were later sold to a third man for £20; he denied handling and opted for a trial, but later changed his plea to guilty.

David Gittins, prosecuting, said John Brock, aged 24, of Crozier Road, Lipson, had previous convictions for burgling residential and non-residential properties, while his brother, aged 23, whose address was given as care of the Salvation Army, Devonport, also had convictions for shoplifting and non-residential burglaries.

Geoff Parlby, for John Brock, said he was about to be released from prison, had engaged with drug rehabilitation and contacted the Harbour Centre. He had a partner and a young baby.

Piers Norsworthy, for Alexander Brock, said he came from a very unstable background but now had a guaranteed room with the Salvation Army for two years.

He was off drugs and taking a methodone prescription.

The judge, Recorder Paul Dunkels QC, told John Brock the occupants of the flat would have been put in fear by his intrusion and sentenced him to 15 months for the burglary plus an additional month for breaching a conditional discharge.

He adjourned sentence on Alexander Brock to July 24 to assess his suitability for a drug rehabilitation requirement order, granting conditional bail.