A BURGLAR who went from house-to-house along a Blackburn street before being confronted by a man as he burgled a house has been jailed for 18 months.

Mark McKinlay managed to steal almost £700-worth of jewellery and other items from a bedroom before police found him hiding near the Lambeth Street address.

Passing sentence at Preston Crown Court the judge told McKinlay, who had previous convictions for similar crimes, there had been an escalating seriousness in burglaries committed by him.

McKinlay, 26, of no fixed address, had been committed for sentence by magistrates for burgling the home last month. He had pleaded guilty to the offence.

Tina Landale, prosecuting, said an elderly couple lived at the address and a neighbour knocked at the door to tell the wife that a man had been seen at an upstairs window.

She called to her husband who went to investigate. He found the defendant in the kitchen and challenged him.

McKinlay climbed over a back wall and fled with nearly £700 worth of jewellery and personal items.

The prosecution said that McKinlay had earlier been looking house-to-house along the street, giving some excuse when a door was answered. Police quickly arrived on the scene and found him hiding nearby, with the stolen property in his hands and pockets.

Defence barrister Tim White said McKinlay had not wasted time when police went to arrest him. Only an immediate custodial sentence could follow.

"He appreciates it was serious because the householder confronted him in circumstances that must have been singularly unpleasant. He was in drink at the time."

The defendant was said to have been prone to drinking too much and taking drugs. He had arranged assistance when released and wanted to make a fresh start.

Judge Pamela Badley told him: "You have little recollection of what happened that day. Unfortunately, the householders will always remember it."