A HOUSE raider who struck at a friend's home while she was on holiday at Christmas has walked free from court.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Roy Thorpe, 45, left tracks from the woman's back yard to his own. He told police he had bought the stolen property from a man and was shocked to be told it was his friend's.

He later admitted he had not been telling the truth but said his mind had been a complete blank due to illness and drink.

Thorpe was given a 12 months community rehabilitation order by Judge Barbara Watson who said what he had done was mean and he would normally have gone to jail.

The judge, who added she had read a psychiatric report on Thorpe, said she had no doubt he would find custody extremely difficult. Thorpe of Cog Lane, Burnley, had earlier admitted burglary.

Sharon Watson, prosecuting, said the victim went to London but returned to find her home had been broken into and items to the value of £1831 stolen.

Police later followed tracks to the defendant's back yard and waited for him to return home but he said he had bought all the stolen goods from a man.

Jacob Dyer, defending, said the offence was bizarre and mean but Thorpe had no recollection of what happened after he left the pub that night.

He still had difficulty accepting he had committed the offence.