A prolific burglar who stole bank cards from a house and used them in nearby shops just 20 minutes later has been jailed.

Willliam Penman, 36, has been locked up for three years after stealing car keys and wallets from a house, and spending more than £100 on the bank cards just minutes later.

Prosecuting, Stephen Parker told Burnley Crown Court the victim, a Mr Walsh, had left his house in Waidshouse Road, Nelson, at about 6am on September 10, taking his dog for a walk and leaving the back door unlocked as his wife was upstairs in bed.

In the 45 minutes Mr Walsh was out, Penman walked in and took several wallets containing cards and cash.

Mr Walsh saw on his phone that he had received security checks for his bank cards on his phone at 7.21am and 7.30am, and realised he had been burgled.

Mr Parker said: “Looking around he noticed various items taken including car keys and wallets including various bank cards, that had been used in shops nearby and £60 in cash.”

Penman manage to make some purchases, one of £49.81 at the Premier Express in Hill Place, and three transactions totalling £58.00 at a One Stop, all within minutes of leaving Mr Walsh’s home.

Despite him being a prolific burglar, it has been about 12 years since Penman has taken anything in a domestic burglary, with Judge Andrew Jeffries saying for that reason, he could not increase the sentence.

Speaking to Penman, Judge Jeffries said: “The facts are simply stated.

“The victim took his dog for a walk, left his back door open and you let yourself in.

“You took a wallet of cards and within 20 minutes, you were using them at a local shop.”

Penman, of Newmarket Street, Colne, pleaded guilty to burglary and two counts of fraud. He was jailed for three years.