A WOMAN who raided empty houses for copper piping and boilers has been jailed for 19 months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Jane Greenwood, 39, went "scavenging" to provide for herself after she had been released from prison and found her partner had set up home with another woman.

The defendant was said to have lived a chaotic lifestyle, with drink and drugs problems against a background of abuse and her children being taken into care.

Greenwood, who struck six times, had been in breach of a curfew imposed for attempted theft, assault and burglary. She had confronted a victim whilst stealing flagstones, had pushed him over and he had injured his knee.

The defendant, of Waterbarn Street, Burnley, admitted two burglaries and asked for four offences to be considered.

Sentencing, Judge Heather Lloyd said Greenwood's background was rather sad and all too common but until she stopped abusing drugs and addressed her attitude towards authority she would continue offending.

The court was told Greenwood attacked a house on Briercliffe Road, Burnley, in September, ripping up the floorboards and pinching copper piping and a boiler, worth £3,000. In October, she struck at Dean Street, in the town, taking similar items, in a £500 haul. She was arrested and was found with amphetamine, for her own use, on her.

Michael Murray, defending, said Greenwood had done her best to alleviate her drugs problem. She had not been using them as she had been in custody and she would say she had cured her alcohol problem.

Greenwood thought she was going to live with her partner on release from custody and was mortified to find he had set up home with another woman. She had found herself completely at a loss and had started "scavenging"

The barrister added: "The courts would see it in a different light, as these are house burglaries."