A TEENAGE burglar caught by police told them he resorted to crime under pressure from drug dealers but refused to name them out of fear.

Anthony Hart, 19, of Abraham Street, Blackburn, carried out four burglaries in the Blackburn area.

He pleaded guilty to two burglaries, an offence of possessing cannabis resin and asked for two further burglaries to be considered. He was sentenced at Preston Crown Court to three years youth custody.

Mr William Staunton, prosecuting, said the crimes were carried out in July last year.

A retired woman living in Romney Walk, Blackburn, returned from visiting a friend to discover her home had been burgled. A video recorder and £12 cash had been taken, as well as a ring that had belonged to her mother.

Another of the raids occurred at an address in Observatory Road, Blackburn, when a widower returned home to find drawers opened and items strewn about. Two rings that had belonged to his late wife were missing. Hart had taken and sold them for £10. The householder felt so angry at his privacy being invaded that he went on to clean every room in the house.

The defendant's two other burglaries took place in Carnforth Close and William Street.

Hart said he had been instructed to carry out the raids by his drug dealer and that property stolen was handed over to the dealer in exchange for heroin.

He had previous convictions and had served five previous custodial sentences and had been released from custody in March last year.

Clare Thomas, defending, said: "He does appreciate the effect that his actions will have on other people. He has come to the point in his life where he realises he needs to make significant changes."

Judge David Boulton told Hart he would have helped himself if he had had the courage to name his suppliers. The defendant was in a vicious circle of offending.