A WOULD-be double house breaker went back to one property to wipe away blood -- but was met by a scenes of crimes officer taking his fingerprints.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the officer chased Anthony Monaghan, 25, who had returned to the house in Scarlett Street, Burnley, the morning after he had tried to force his way in.

He also struck at another house in the town.

Monaghan was jailed for 27 months and must first serve the three month unexpired portion of his previous sentence. The defendant, of Creswick Avenue, Burnley, admitted two attempted burglaries, asked for four offences to be considered and had been committed for sentence by the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Magistrates..

Judge David Pirie said Monaghan, who had appeared in court seven times for burglary since he was 15, had to go to prison.

He added the offences he had asked to be considered could not have been proved against him if he had not admitted them to police. Neil Standage, prosecuting, said a house owner returned to his property to find a hole in the double glazing.

A scenes of crimes officer was called the next morning and a man who turned out to be the defendant came out of the back yard.

He ran off and was chased by the officer.

Mr Standage said when Monaghan was arrested he admitted trying to break into the house to steal cash, jewellery and electrical goods.

He said he had cut himself and had gone back to wipe the blood off the glass when he was disturbed.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said Monaghan had told how he was facing a life sentence by instalments.

If he carried on abusing drugs like he had been he would face an early death as well. He had been in custody since February 3, had been drug free without medication and had given two negative tests. Mr Baldwin said the defendant had been taking part in a programme dealing with various aspects of offending while on remand.