A thief helped himself to jewellery after conning his way into the home of a couple of pensioners, a court was told.

Mark McConnell, 23, had turned up at the victims' home claiming he was collecting money for work he had done.

He then disappeared with the haul of necklaces, earrings and rings worth hundreds of pounds, Burnley Crown Court heard.

McConnell, en ex-convict with a record for robbery and burglary, and who had been on licence and on bail at the time, could be facing a minimum of three years behind bars for his third house raid.

He was remanded in custody until December 8.

The defendant, of Hope Street, Brierfield, admitted burglaries at Oak Street, Colne, in April, and Sackville Street, Brierfield, in June.

Silvia Dacre, prosecuting, told the court in April McConnell went round to the home of a man who owed him money, demanding cash.

He did not get it and returned when the victim was out, broke the door in and pinched a television.

The police later went to the defendant's house and found the TV.

McConnell showed it to them, but insisted he did not steal the television and had got it from somebody he wasn't prepared to name.

McConnell was given bail, but struck again in June.

Miss Dacre said the defendant went to the home of a 67-year-old man, asking for money for work.

The occupant was confused as he did not recall any work being done, but allowed McConnell into his house and agreed to hand over some cash.

The victim told the defendant he wanted a receipt and as that was being done, McConnell asked if he could use the toilet. He was allowed to and went upstairs alone.

Miss Dacre said after about five minutes the defendant came down and headed straight for the door.

He was holding his sleeve oddly but left so quickly the occupant did not have chance to stop him.

The prosecutor said when the man's wife returned home she found jewellery in boxes, which had been hidden in the bathroom airing cupboard wrapped in a towel, had been taken.

The 67 year old did not report the theft to the police until the following day, as he was in shock and felt embarrassed at being taken in.

Miss Dacre said McConnell was arrested and interviewed and denied the offence.

The occupant picked him out in a video identity parade and the defendant's fingerprints were also found on the receipt.

McConnell was questioned again and still denied the offence.

He claimed the pensioner must just have seen him in the area.

The court was told in 1997 McConnell had served 39 months in jail.

He was still on licence when he committed the first burglary and his sentence expired next April.