A BURGLARY "lookout" had gone back to taking heroin after his relationship broke down, a court was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how John Hodges, 30, went on to try to con cash from the Benefits Agency using a guarantee taken in the raid on the flat.

The victim had been asleep in bed when the property, in Keighley Road, Colne, was attacked in the early hours. More than £1,800 worth of property was taken in the break-in and £1,500 of it had not been recovered.

Hodges was sent to jail for two years by Recorder Harry Narayan who said there could only be one sentence.

The defendant, of Burrans Meadow, Colne, admitted theft, handling stolen goods, burglary and attempted deception and had been committed for sentence by Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Magistrates. He asked for one offence to be considered.

Neil Standage, prosecuting, said the defendant was charged and bailed after he was found to have a purse, credit card, driving licence and wallet taken in a burglary.

On 14 June, between 1am and 7am, the flat was broken into as the occupant slept and CDs and clothing were taken.

Among the haul was a Karrimor jacket with a guarantee. The defendant had earlier been told by the Benefits Agency there was a job for him and he could get some clothing if he handed over a receipt.

He tried to get some cash with the guarantee and about half an hour later was seen on Market Street, Colne, wearing clothing taken in the raid and carrying a rucksack from it.

Mr Standage said Hodges told police he had been the lookout and had not gone in the flat.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Hodges accepted he would be going to custody. Between July 1999 and the end of May this year there had only been one court appearance.

He came from a stable background and had started working in a foundry but in his early to mid 20s started to take drugs. He left work when he became addicted to heroin.

Hodges was given a sentence of 18 months and on his release he and his girlfriend had a child. He kept out of trouble but when the relationship ended he was at a low ebb and went back to heroin again.