A GARDENER broke into a woman’s home while she was in hospital and stole a wad of cash and credit cards, a court heard.

Christopher Ebdon, of Leigh Road, Wimborne, pleaded guilty to burglary, possession of a class B drug and assault by beating at an earlier hearing, Bournemouth Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Sadie Rizzo told the court 45-year-old Ebdon broke into the home of Louisa Marshall, at Poole Road in Wimborne, and was found at the scene by police.

Ms Marshall was in hospital when she was called by a neighbour, the court heard, and discharged herself to return home and call the police.

Ms Rizzo said: “Ms Marshall was so unwell she had to return to hospital. This has caused her some trauma. He knew she was in hospital.”

Police located Ebdon at the property on August 10 where he began “growling and snarling” at them, Ms Rizzo added. “He then threw a yellow bicycle at the officer.”

Ebdon was arrested and a bag of amphetamines found on him.

Mitigating, Leslie Smith said: “He’s a hard-working man and his father suffered a stroke and died in December 2014. During the period he was helping his mother with his dying father.

“This is out of character triggered by a break down from nursing his father,” he added. “Everyone says he’s on the road back to recovery from what he was prior to his break down. He expresses genuine remorse.”

The judge, Recorder Donald Tait, said: “I feel in the circumstances you should pay compensation to Ms Marshall in the sum of £850 – whether that is reflected in the cash you have taken or from the heart break you caused her I care not.”

Ebdon was handed a community order of 12 months, 100 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation.