A MAN who attacked and then burgled a Polish national has been jailed for more than three years.

Richard Hawley, 24, from Ouseburn Road, Blackburn, was sentenced yesterday at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to burglary and affray.

The court heard how Hawley, who suffers from hearing problems, had been hostile towards a Polish man, swearing at him in the Sandon Street area of Blackburn on Friday, May 29, last year.

He rode his bicycle into him and then punched him in the face shouting abuse.

Shortly after that confrontation, Hawley and another man were seen to kick in the front door of the Polish man, forcing their way into his house.

The victim and a friend hid in separate rooms to protect themselves and Hawley and his accomplice stole a computer monitor from the premises.

Judge Byrne said Hawley’s record was ‘appalling’ referring to 32 offences committed on 20 previous occasions.

They included three robbery convictions and seven dwelling burglaries with others taken into consideration.

In mitigation, the court heard Hawley had taken large amounts of drink and drugs and was unstable after two bereavements, including that of his sister.

He was sentenced to 32 months in prison for the burglary, plus eight months consecutive for the affray.

However, Judge Byrne told Hawley he will serve half his sentence – 20 months – before being released on licence.