THE drug addict son of a former Widnes Rugby star burgled his own parents.

Michael Bowden, son of former Widnes scrum-half Reg Bowden, appeared at Warrington Crown Court.

Bowden was spotted going into his parent's house in Lynton Crescent by a neighbour on February 16.

He stole almost £1,000 worth of goods including a gold and diamond necklace worth £200 to £500.

He tried to sell the necklace for five pounds to one of his parents neighbours, Mrs Holdsworth.

He was arrested at his home on Avondale Drive three days later.

The court heard there were difficulties between Bowden and his parents.

Miss Maria Masselis, prosecuting, said: "Mrs Bowden, being the 'soft touch', has on occasions given him money for drugs.

"But they have made it plain he is no longer welcome to come into their house."

Bowden, aged 24, pleaded guilty to burglary.

He has sent letters of apology to his parents from prison.

Mr Simon Berkson, defending, said Bowden had been taking exams in prison and appeared free of drugs.

But he said: "It's absolutely right to say these were vulnerable victims and the nastiness of the crime is that he was preying on his own family members."

Judge Michael Farmer said Bowden should be assessed for the suitability of a drug treatment order, although prison is still a possibility.

He acknowledged Bowden wanted to put his past behind him but said: "He was operating at a barely human level.

"To try and sell this necklace for a total of five pounds, it's almost sub-human isn't it?

"If he is as determined as he says he is then he ought to be assessed for the order.

"And one hopes for his sake that it works. Because if it doesn't, there's an inevitability about where the majority of his life will be spent."