A BURGLAR used a stone to smash his way into a house and remove property to fund his drug habit, a court heard.

Andrew Foster had been released from a four year sentence for burglary and was on licence at the time of the raid.

The 24-year-old, of Pall Mall, Chorley, had pleaded guilty to burglary on an earlier date. He asked for two other burglaries to be taken into consideration at Preston Crown Court.

Foster was jailed for 30 months for the burglary, plus an additional six months from his outstanding sentence, making a total of three years in all.

Mrs Viv Mumford, prosecuting, told the court the burglary took place on February 6 this year and involved a house in Runshaw Lane, Euxton.

The householder returned home at 5pm to find a stone in the porch. Damage to the tune of £1,819 had been caused.

Foster was arrested on February 21 and admitted the burglary.

He said he had entered the house around 11am and used the stone to smash the front door and had two journeys into the home to remove property.

Mr Kevin Talbot, defending, said Foster had offended to obtain money to fund his drug addiction.

The defendant, after being released from prison, returned to drugs and had reoffended.