One of Britain’s oldest shopkeepers has put his business up for sale after ‘priceless’ antiques were looted from the premises during a break-in.

Ninety-seven-year-old George Gillman’s shop in Newton Abbott had the front of his shop shattered and £6,000 worth of goods stolen in the burglary.

Mr Gillman, a war veteran, said the jewellery that had been stolen was ‘priceless’, as some of the rings and gems had been bought by his late wife and were of great sentimental value. In a victim impact statement, Mr Gillman said the burglary was the final straw and he was unlikely to be able to carry on.

Mr Gillman, who served 27 years in the Royal Navy, sat in the public gallery at Exeter Crown Court where a Judge thanked him for the service which he has given to the public over many years.

The shopkeeper told him: “I can’t see myself getting any of the stolen things back. This isn’t the first time this has happened. The shop is up for sale. I’m 97and I’m packing up.”

Anderson, aged 42, of no fixed address, admitted burglary and was jailed for 10 months, suspended for two years, with an alcohol treatment requirement and 40 days of rehabilitation activities by Judge Stephen Climie.

Judge Climie said: “Mr Gillman is a decent, hardworking man who has dedicated his life to the service of others, selling antiques which carry all sorts of family stories which he can tell the buyers when they look at them.

“These items included those purchased by his late wife. It is not the first time his premises have been targeted. This offence was undoubtedly targeted because of the significant value of the goods on display.”

Miss Feleena Grosvenor, prosecuting, said Anderson broke the window at The Attic antiques shop in Union Street, Newton Abbot at 1.45 am last month and was traced by DNA.

Mr Gillman estimated the loss at £6,015 and damage at more than £1,000. One leather box and a pair of binoculars were recovered. Anderson has 44 previous convictions for theft.

Mr Paul Dentith, defending, said Anderson wanted to apologise and says he is willing to address the alcohol and drug issues which have led to him falling into a cycle of homelessness and offending.

Mr Gillman joined the ranks of some of Britain’s oldest shopkeepers, who included Manchester hardware store Jack Yaffe who retired at the age of 103 in 2012, and Ada Row, who was still running a dairy in Lowestoft in the 1960s when she was 110.