A BURGLAR had a pang of conscience after he raided a pensioner's home - but still ended up in jail for more than four years.

Burnley Crown Court heard drug addict Sean Nerney, 28, got in touch with his associates and sent the vulnerable pensioner's treasured possessions back.

The defendant, who struck while she was in hospital, had been subject to an anti-social behaviour order at the time.

He had earlier befriended her after she offered his dog water -and a judge said that showed just how "nasty and vicious" his behaviour had been.

The court was told Nerney, who struck within 24 hours of appearing at Burnley Magist-rates Court, had also broken into another house six months before, ransacking it and taking property worth £1,500.

Nerney, from Burnley, but of no fixed address, admitted two burglaries.

He was jailed for more than four years - three years for the two raids and he must also serve the 384 day unexpired portion of his last prison term on top.

Judge Brian Duckworth said he was glad the elderly woman's jewellery had been recovered but that the thefts must have been a "total shock".

He said: "The message must go out that house burglary is always serious and when they have got these sort of aggravating features about them, they become very serious indeed."

The court was told Nerney had 41 previous convictions, going back to the youth court in 1992 and including burglary.

In January 2003, he had been sent to prison for 57 months for robbery. He committed the first burglary within a few months of his release and the sentence did not expire until October this year.

In October last year, Nerney raided a house on Otterburn Grove, Burnley, causing damage and emptying rubbish bags in the living room.

In June this year he burgled the pensioner's home in Burnley, stealing a watch given to her by her late husband and a gold chain she had had for 50 years.

In February this year the defendant had been given an anti-social behaviour order.

Martin Hackett, defending, said Nerney conceded the only outcome of the proceedings was custody.

He said the defendant had been taking three to four bags of heroin at the time and had to offend to try and fund his habit.

Mr Hackett said Nerney had been on remand for two months. He had self detoxified and was doing a drug programme in jail He added: "That will continue on his release as he realises he has to deal with his addiction."