A man who was involved in a spate of house burglaries across Blackburn and Burnley has been sentenced to eight years in jail.

John Walker, aged 30 of Marton Green, Liverpool stole jewellery and personal possessions from homes during January of this year.

A complex police investigation recovered CCTV footage of the suspect in the vicinity of the offences and he was soon identified.

Walker, who has numerous previous convictions for burglary, had fled to Lancashire from Merseyside after being recalled to prison on a previous sentence for burglary.

Walker was eventually located and arrested for the burglaries.

He was charged and on September 24 he appeared at Preston Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to five house burglaries and was sentenced to eight years imprisonment.

Det Con Andy Lever of East Target Team said: “Walker is a prolific house burglar who has numerous previous convictions for burgling peoples homes.

"He committed these latest offences over a one week period in January 2021, leaving a trail of misery behind him.

"One of his victims was a doctor working long shifts on a COVID ward in hospital at the time he burgled her address. This sentence will see him removed from the streets of east Lancashire and undoubtedly prevent further victims."