SENTIMENTAL items, including wedding rings and music intended for a child's funeral, were stolen when a burglar raided a funeral home.

Kevin Greenwood, 40, of Carisbrooke Road, Newport, admitted breaking into the Co-op funeral care on St James's Street in Newport, where he made off with a safe containing valuable and sentimental items intended to be used in funerals.

It was detailed that in the safe was a set of gold wedding rings destined to be used as part of an elderly woman's funeral, and a USB stick of songs and messages intended for the funeral of a young boy.

Greenwood also stole a blue 'forever ring,' made out of the ashes of a loved family member, stole and £37 in cash.

Vivian Ducie, prosecuting, said: "This man has an absolutely appalling record. At the time of this incident, some point between February 13 and 15, he was out on licence for a previous burglary in 2019.

"He smashed in a small back window on the ground floor and made his way to the mortuary where he stole the forever ring and a safe.

"These items held sentimental value to the families in question and sadly they were never recovered."

For Greenwood, Oscar Vincent said: "He is disgusted with himself, especially as he had been doing so well since he was released from prison in September.

"He had been staying at a homeless shelter where he tells me that someone slipped a Xanax into his drink."

The magistrates remanded Greenwood in custody ahead of his appearance at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on April 24.