A MAN repaid the kindness of others who showed him compassion by burgling their Blackburn home.

Graham Bleasdale stole some money - and went on to commit further crime. He took cash from an elderly man by tricking a way into his home and later raided another home.

The 24-year-old of Dry Beck, Preston, had pleaded guilty to two offences of burglary and one of theft. He was jailed for a total of three years by a judge at Preston Crown Court.

The crime he carried out was a burglary in March last year at a home on Shorrock Lane, Blackburn. The occupants had on previous occasions taken Bleasdale into their home and given him food.

While they were out on one particular date he forced entry and stole a small amount of money.

Paul Humphries, defending, said Bleasdale had no recollection of carrying out the offence, but accepted that he must have done it.

He was very grateful for the meals that had previously been provided for him.

The defendant was said to have a serious drug problem.

"He is anxious for help, to be free from the burden of the drug problem," added Mr Humphries. "It has come as something of a shock to him that he has committed these offences."

Judge Stuart Baker told Bleasdale, whose other two crimes took place in Preston, that the first two offences were "mean" and that he had stolen a substantial amount of property during the third.

"No punishment other than prison could be justified", said the judge.