A BURGLAR whose mother refused to pay for him to go to rehab has been jailed for threatening to kill her then ransacking her home.

Daniel Jones admitted breaking into the property shared by Heather Dalgleish and her husband Michael and destroying furniture in July.

Julian Lynch, prosecuting, told Oxford Crown Court on Thursday that Jones, 45, had battled drink and drugs, but Mrs Dalgleish refused to help – prompting her son to lose his temper.

Mr Lynch added: “An argument develops between the two of them. Mr Jones indicates he is going to come over to Mrs Dalgleish’s house and kill her.”

Despite originally not being too concerned about the threat, the Dalgleishs fled their home after a call from Jones’ sister saying he had also told her he was going to kill them.

Mr Lynch said that while the couple were on their way to Abingdon Police Station they received a call from their alarm company saying there had been a break-in at their home in Foxcombe Drive, Boars Hill.

He added: “They found the downstairs window to the utility room had been smashed.

“The defendant had left but ransacked the property, damaging the TV, computer monitor, dining room chair and a plant pot.”

After being arrested Jones, of Marlborough Road, Oxford, admitted arguing with his mother, but denied breaking into the property.

However, he later admitted both crimes at a hearing at Oxford Crown Court in September.

Ronan McCann, defending, said: “What is clear is this is an individual who has struggled with drug addiction for some considerable time.”

Judge Ian Pringle said Jones had frightened his mother and her husband as well as caused “wanton destruction” in their home.

He added: “They were worried and thought it was best they leave. It is just as well they did.”

But despite being eligible for a community order including drug rehab and unpaid work, Judge Pringle said only a prison sentence was appropriate.

He jailed Jones for 10 months.

Jones was also handed a restraining order, banning him from contacting his mother and her husband and going within a mile of their home.