A SNEAK burglar who went into the homes of three elderly people today won a cut in his jail term for the "mean" crimes.

Lee Patrick Howarth, 35, of Cravendale Avenue, Burnley, was jailed for five years at the town's Crown Court in April , after pleading guilty to three burglaries.

He also asked the judge to take into account further offences, including other burglaries.

London's Criminal Appeal Court today concluded the sentence failed to give sufficient credit for his guilty pleas and cut his term to four years.

In refusing to reduce the sentence even more, Mr Justice Moses said: "These were very serious burglaries, targeting vulnerable members of our community who deserve the protection of the courts".

The burglaries took place in Barrowford, Sabden and Colne.

Sitting with Mr Justice Royce, the judge said Howarth had put fliers in letterboxes before a 79-year-old man offered to allow him to assist in repairing some kitchen tiles.

Howarth agreed to help for £40 but, when the man went to get the money, Howarth pretended to go to the toilet but took £40. He subsequently took £1,000 the man had saved to pay his council tax.

The second victim was an 89-year-old woman whom he asked whether she wanted any work done. She later discovered £154, her bus pass and other items were missing.