A 13-YEAR-OLD boy was so terrified after an early hours burglary at his home he would not be left alone, a court heard.

Burnley Crown Court was told how the teenager had been asleep with his family at their house in the town when former drug addict Mark Devlin struck in April.

Devlin was jailed for two and a half years by Recorder William Waldron, who said he accepted the defendant realised how much house break-ins could influence the course of other people's lives. Devlin, of Gannow Lane, Burnley, admitted burglary.

Arthur Stuttard, prosecuting, said at about 5.40am, the family was awoken by the alarm going off.

The householder went downstairs, found the kitchen window open and property missing. A leather wallet, cheque book, debit card and mobile telephone to the tune of more than £150 had been taken.

Mr Stuttard said it appeared entry had been attempted at other points in the property, such as the patio doors. A footprint was on the kitchen worktop.

Devlin was arrested in May and when first questioned denied any involvement. He was interviewed a second time and when told the shoe marks corresponded with trainers taken from him, said he had recently been given the footwear.

The prosecutor said the 13 year old had become very frightened after his home was targeted and did not want to be left alone at any time.

Charles Brown, defending, said Devlin was realistic enough to know he was going to face a long term of imprisonment.

He showed genuine remorse for the upset he had caused and he intended to write them a letter of apology.

The defendant had been free of heroin for four and a half years but had fallen back into drugs after his relationship broke up. He knew heroin put him in a position where it damaged the lives of others and his own life.

Mr Brown said Devlin and his girlfriend intended to marry. That should be a stabilising influence on him.

The defendant had achieved 'listener' status by the prison authorities. That meant he could help out young prisoners who would feel he understood their difficulties as he was in the same boat as them.