TROY — Brian Applegate, 24, of Sidney, was sentenced to serve two years of community control for third degree theft for stealing jewelry and other heirloom items from an elderly family members’ residence in Tipp City. The theft was first reported in March 2015.

He was sentenced Monday in Miami County Common Pleas Court by Judge Christopher Gee.

Applegate pleaded no contest and was found guilty of theft in July.

Applegate apologized to the court and said he would have never stolen the items from his own family members had he not been on drugs at the time of the incident. Public defender Steve King said Applegate has been clean for seven months at the hearing.

“(This) eats me alive. I wish it never happened,” Applegate said.

A family member spoke on behalf of the victims, which included a cancer patient and another family member in the early stages of dementia. Applegate stole approximately $10,000 worth of jewelry from inside the home.

Gee ordered Applegate to have no contact with the victims. Applegate must maintain employment and a curfew, abide by the Shelby County Counseling center’s treatment program, and attend meetings. No restitution was ordered. Gee reserved 17 months in prison if Applegate violated terms of his probation.