A burglar raided a house before taking his haul away in a wheel barrow.
Jonathon Burton entered the property in Lighton Avenue, Frampton, while the householders were away for the weekend.
Phil Howes, prosecuting at Lincoln Crown Court, said tools taken from a garden shed were used to force a way into the house.
Mr Howes said: “All the rooms were entered. Cupboards were rummaged through. The stolen items were loaded into a wheelbarrow and transported away.”
Jewellery, cutlery and clothes were among the property stolen, as well as a number of sentimental items. Other items were moved ready to be taken away.
Afterwards Burton went to his brother’s home and became involved in an altercation which resulted in police being called.
Following his arrest Burton went on to admit a second burglary at Penny Gardens, Kirton.
Burton (32), of Dennis Estate, Kirton, admitted burglary on November 12 and asked for the Penny Gardens burglary to be taken into consideration.
Neil Sands, defending, said that Burton had difficulty in sleeping and went for a walk which culminated in him committing the Lighton Avenue burglary.
He said that at the time Burton was facing a magistrates court hearing for other matters and had convinced himself he was going to prison.
“He had simply given up on everything. He committed both offences on impulse before going to court the following Monday. The magistrates then took a course whereby he was given a final chance.”
Mr Sands said Burton has been making progress and urged his sentence be deferred to give him the chance to show he could sustain his improvement.
Recorder Nigel Daly deferred sentence for six months.
Burton was told not to commit any further offences in the interim period, to try to maintain his current job as a farm worker and to save up to pay compensation.
The Recorder told him: “I will not send you to prison if you have complied and behaved properly but if you don’t you know what is going to happen.”