AN "old lag" house raider was considering giving it all up as he approached his 40th birthday, a court was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how father-of-two Paul McDonagh, whose latest victim was in hospital and suffered a heart attack after returning home to find it broken into, realised he had to change. He had gone into the pensioner's home after his sister had died and he had drunk a lot of whisky.

McDonagh, 39, who has a long criminal record and has been in custody for a year, was jailed for two and a half years and was told by a judge his sentences would get longer and longer if he continued his life of crime.

Recorder Anthony Edwards added it was hardly surprising the elderly burglary victim was considerably distressed on his return from hospital to find his home had been broken into.

McDonagh, of Manchester Road, Haslingden, who also stole cash from the cigarette machine after sneaking into a pub in the early hours, had admitted two burglaries.

Charles Brown, prosecuting, said the elderly victim's son found his father's home had been burgled, the rooms searched and property stolen, last January.

The defendant was arrested later in prison and denied both allegations.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said McDonagh had not let the grass grow under his feet while he had been in custody and had gained qualifications.

Both offences were opportunist and carried out when the doors of both the pub and the elderly man's home had been left open.