A raider came close to being jailed for three years after attacking a house - but escaped with a shorter term as it was empty and to let.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Nathan Moore, 29, was a ‘three strike’ burglar, facing a minimum of three years behind bars.

But he got six months in prison as the property was not classed as a home as nobody was living there at the time.

The hearing had been told how Moore and accomplice Aaron Catlow, 27, were found by police and arrested in the house on Wordsworth Street in the Burnley area, just after midnight on July 11.

Moore was covered in blood and had a knife in his pocket.

Moore, said to have an alcohol problem, had drunk four litres of cider before he struck. He has repeatedly been before the courts in the past for flouting a non-molestation order taken out by his father, Neville.

Four years ago, he was locked up for 12 months after turning up at Mr Moore's Waterfoot sheltered accommodation home drunk and demanding salt and vinegar for his chips.

Moore, who has lived in Waterfoot and Whitworth, but is now of no fixed address, was already serving six weeks for arson.

He and Catlow, of Padiham Road, Burnley, had both admitted burglary with intent to steal. Catlow, who has no record for burglary, was given a 12-month community order with 180 hours unpaid work.

Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said when questioned, Catlow said they both needed somewhere to stay for the night.