An “aggrieved” son broke into a house and stole a jewellery box from the woman he blamed for the break up his parents’ marriage.

Christopher Legg, 28, who lives in a cottage on the Grand Union Canal in Kings Langley, pleaded guilty to burglary at Watford Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Legg smashed a window of the house in Coniston Road, Hemel Hempstead and took the jewellery box along with a compact in a night time raid in June, the court heard.

Legg was apprehended shortly after and the items recovered. In a works van belonging to his alleged accomplice police found a baseball bat and balaclava.

In mitigation magistrates were told Legg had gone round to see his father, after an “acrimonious” break down of his marriage. Legg banged so hard he broke the glass and then entered the house, taking the low value items to upset the “lady of the house” he feels “instigated” the break down of the relationship between his mother and father.

Sentencing was adjourned until Tuesday, November 11. Legg, who has one previous unrelated conviction was released on unconditional bail.

Co-defendant Jay Ellis, 32, of Edson Close, Watford, pleaded not guilty and will stand trial at St Albans Crown Court.

Ellis was released on unconditional bail to appear at Dacorum Magistrates Court on Monday, December 22, when the case will be committed to the crown court.