TWO drug addicts targeted and raided the home of a man who had befriended them, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Darren Thorpe, 36, and Laura Spencer, 23, were caught red-handed in the property at night, intent on pinching electrical goods, after smashing their way in.

Victim James Yates' house had been attacked by other intruders about a week before and they knew he would be at work. Thorpe had even drunk tea with Mr Yates after he had suffered the first break-in, the court was told.

Sentencing, Recorder Michael Blakey slammed the offence as "nasty and sneaky".

The judge said Thorpe, currently in jail, had a dreadful record which included burglary. He told the defendant he had a "strong streak of dishonesty".

Recorder Blakey imposed an 18 month prison term, to run concurrently to Thorpe's present one.

Spencer, now fighting her habit, was spared custody by the judge who said she had no burglaries on her record and it was clear her co-defendant was the leader in the offence. She was given a 12 month drug treatment and testing order. Spencer, of Robinson Street, Colne and Thorpe, of Humber Square, Burnley, were convicted by a jury of burglary.

The court was told the pair were found in Mr Yates' house last July, after smashing their way in with a crowbar. He had had electrical goods taken about a week before and was still suffering the trauma of the first break-in.

For Spencer, Kath Johnson said the defendant was immersed in drug use and drug culture and that was the explanation behind her regular court appearances.

Miss Johnson added Spencer was on a Prince's Trust course and on a recent full time programme had come out top on the course.

John Woodward, defending Thorpe, said Thorpe's downfall was rooted in drugs and he was very anxious to start a drugs awareness course. Mr Woodward went on: "He has had enough of crime and had enough of drugs. He will not be back before the courts ever again."