A burglar branded himself "scum of the earth" during a tearful courtroom apology to his victim.
George Ness left an elderly couple feeling nervous after breaking into their garage while they were in the house.
He stole food and drink and left a mess, with the fridge and freezer doors open.
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His victim attended Newcastle Crown Court to read out a victim statement outlining the impact of the offence.
Ness became upset at hearing the victims are a similar age of his ailing dad and was allowed to address him in court from a video-link at prison.
He said: "I'm really, really sorry.
"I'm ashamed. I deserve the worst punishment.
"I'm so sorry, I would do anything in my power to make up up to you.
"I'm scum of the earth and I'm so sorry, I wish I could make everything better."
After being sentenced to four months in prison, he added: "I will do everything in my power to make up for it.
"I feel so bad I feel like killing myself. I don't know if I can live with myself."
The burglary happened in a detached garage at Dockray Square, North Shields, in September last year.
The couple woke up one morning and found a side door, which had been shut, was open.
Items had been moved around and the fridge and freezer doors were open.
Among the items stolen was a bottle of champagne, frozen food and hiking boots, worth a total of around £400 to £500.
Two open cans of cola were tested for DNA and one of them had Ness' on it.
In the victim impact statement, the householder said: "We feel our personal space has been invaded as a result of this burglary.
"It's upsetting and worrying to think somebody has come in while we were at home, uninvited to steal from us.
"My wife is nervous and it's made us think about further security measures we might need.
"The champagne was being kept for a special occasion and will now have to be replaced."
Ness, of Avon Avenue, Meadow Well, North Shields, who has 28 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to a non-dwelling burglary.
Tony Cornberg, defending, said: "Hopefully seeing Mr Ness in the rather pathetic state he appears might be of some help to the family."
Mr Cornberg said Ness, who had been caring for his dad after he had a stroke, felt he had let his family down but had "had a light bulb moment" and doesn't want to keep going to prison.
The court heard he had relapsed into taking drugs at the time and is remorseful.
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