A serial offender has been sentenced after admitting an attempted burglary offence in Darwen.

Robert Storrie, 52, of Summerton Walk, Darwen, appeared at Preston Crown Court having been charged with attempted burglary dwelling with intent to steal.

Storrie was caught on Ring doorbell footage at a residence at Lightbown Cottages, Darwen, checking the house's door handles on Saturday, September 2.

Victim Pamela Shepard, who lives alone, was alerted that a figure was outside her home by the doorbell, but decided not to ring the police as he had left shortly after.

Prosecutor Alison Mather told the court the day after, September 3, police contacted Ms Shepard regarding another burglary in the area.

She provided the CCTV footage from her doorbell believing it to be in connection with the offence, and PC Bulley later identified the figure in the footage as Robert Storrie.

When Storrie was arrested, he was shown the CCTV footage but denied it was him. He later changed his plea to guilty.

Storrie has 27 convictions for 52 previous offences, 36 of which are associated with dishonesty and a number of which are associated with burglary.

In mitigation, Holly Lawton told the court Storrie had relapsed with drugs at the time due to a relationship break down, and had no memory of the offence.

She said: "He is ashamed about what he did that night.

"He thought he was on the straight and narrow but fell back on something he knew well and relied upon."

Judge Sarah O'Brien told the court that as it was an attempted burglary, and there was no victim personal statement, Storrie did not deserve an immediate custodial sentence.

She said: "There has been a significant gap in your offending and it is very disappointing for you and the court that you find yourself back here again."

Storrie was sentenced to a 12 month community order to be electronically tagged from 7pm to 7am, and told to go through a rehabilitation programme for 12 months.