A YOUNG burglar who raided the home of an elderly couple as they slept was today starting a three year and nine month jail term.

Irudyam Farooq, 21, who helped himself to a handbag from the sheltered accommodation premises, also targeted two more homes.

He was caught after forensic analysis linked his trainers to footprints at the scene.

His barrister told Burnley Crown Court Farooq had been ordered to repay a friend's drug debt and in the "hard and fast world of the back streets of Duke Bar" had to do as he was told.

Sentencing the defendant, Judge Lesley Newton said: "It is difficult to imagine the fear that they must have felt as a result of the way you behaved. You or someone with you searched every room and somebody went into the room in which they were sleeping and stole the bag."

Farooq, of Cameron Street, Burnley, admitted three counts of burglary and one of handling stolen goods.

David Tempkin, prosecuting, said Farooq went into a house that was unoccupied and up for sale on Cleaver Street, Burnley, and helped himself to curtains and light fittings.

In July, he struck at sheltered accommodation on Hebrew Road, Burnley, and just over two weeks later he raided another property on Cleaver Street.

Robert Crawford, defending, said Farooq knew he would be going to jail and that it would be for some time.