DRUG addict Richard Melkevic hit "rock bottom" when he raided the home of his parents in a desperate hunt to find items to sell.
The callous and cynical burglary of his own family was as low as anyone could stoop, a court heard.
Melkevic, 29, of Elsenham Road, Grimsby, admitted burglary on May 5.
Andrew Bailey, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that Melkevic's parents returned home to find ladders leaning against a kitchen window.
Cameras and a laptop had been stolen from their home in Gilbey Road, Grimsby.
Melkevic's brother received a telephone call saying the defendant was trying to sell the laptop at a shop.
His father, Peter Melkevic, saw him with the laptop and took it back.
The next day, Melkevic tried to sell the cameras at Cash Generators in Victoria Street, Grimsby, but he was refused.
He left the cameras there and they were recovered.
His father had earlier visited local shops to warn them that his son might be trying to sell some items.
Melkevic later told police he had been taking crack cocaine at the time.
Laurinda Bower, mitigating, said Melkevic had reached "rock bottom" in his drug addiction and stole on impulse from his parents.
Melkevic, who is married with three children, was on the brink of losing contact with his family.
Recorder David Bradshaw told Melkevic: "When you burgled the house of your parents, simply to get your hands on property to sell, you can't really get lower.
"You must have hurt your parents deeply with your behaviour. It's a considerable breach of trust."
Melkevic was jailed for eight months.
