A YOUTH who tried to raid a woman's home could offer no explanation why he had done it except he was short of cash.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Michael Duckworth, 20, was recognised by the victim's neighbour who had known him for several years and spotted him and an accomplice in the back yard.

Duckworth, who has eight previous convictions for burglary, was sent to jail for 15 months by Judge Raymond Bennett.

Tthe judge said the law had now changed and anybody who committed three house break-ins faced a minium jail term of three years - and that was where the defendant would be heading. Duckworth, of May Street, Burnley, had earlier admitted attempted burglary.

John O'Shea, prosecuting, said the complainant had been burgled before and made sure her property was locked before she left to go to work in January.

When she returned, the police were at her house and found the back door was damaged as somebody had tried to force it open.

A neighbour had been returning home when he saw two young men in the back yard. He immediately recognised the defendant, heard banging noises and saw the duo walk up a back street.

Paul Hague, defending, said there was no great explanation for what Duckworth had done except it was mid-week and he was short of cash. At the time he was working for a pallet manufacturer, was settled with his girlfriend and denied having a drug addiction, although he had dabbled in the past.