A ONE-TIME serial burglar returned to raiding properties because of a drug debt.

Russell De-la-rue stole £1,300-worth of belongings from a Blackburn house while the occupants were on a Saturday night out.

He also carried out a total of six burglaries at the Kwiksave and Asda supermarkets.

The 29-year-old, of Mosley Street, Blackburn, had been committed by magistrates for sentence at Preston Crown Court.

De-la-rue had admitted one charge of burglary and others of handling and theft. He asked for six burglaries to be considered.

The court heard that he struck at a home on William Street, Blackburn in January. While the occupants were out he smashed a patio window before entering to steal a large quantity of jewellery, plus electrical goods and cash.

Mr Mark Stuart, defending, said his client knew that custody had to follow. Before the current offences he had not carried out a burglary since 1991.

He said De-la-rue saw the people leave the home on William Street and went round immediately afterwards.

The reason he got involved with burglaries again was a drug debt that had come to the fore.

Judge Peter Smith passed a prison sentence totalling 34 months.