A WOMAN returned home from work to find half her back yard missing, Burnley Magistrates were told.

The court heard how the yard's stone flags had been stolen by Mark Winchester, 36, who then sold them to a demolition and stone merchant.

Police, acting on information, stopped a vehicle in which Winchester was travelling with an accomplice.

Winchester, who had also stolen a watch from T J Hughes, Burnley, was jailed for 28 days.

Sentencing him, the bench said the offences were committed close together, two were committed on bail and the defendant was a persistent offender.

Winchester, of Gannow Lane, Burnley, admitted three counts of theft, being in breach of a conditional discharge and two counts of using an uninsured vehicle.

Richard Taylor, defending, said Winchester pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and all the stolen property had been recovered.