A DRUG addict who burgled the home of a retired Chorley policeman, only to be recognised, has been given a community based sentence.

The intruder was grabbed by ex-bobby Graham Wallace who asked: "It's Boney isn't it?"

When he appeared on deferred sentence before Preston Crown Court yesterday (Thursday) Mark Bone was ordered to do 100 hours community service and placed on two years probation.

The 32-year-old of Stanley Road, Whalley Range, Manchester, had pleaded guilty to a burglary committed in March last year.

The case had been deferred for six months with three conditions -- to stay out of trouble, not to use drugs and to successfully complete a 12 months probation order.

Mr Fraser Livesey, prosecuting, said the retired policeman was watching TV at his Chorley home when he felt some cold air near to where he was sitting. After going to investigate he found the defendant upstairs. He grabbed hold of him and said: "It's Boney isn't it?"

A struggle took place. Bone slipped out of his jacket and ran off, leaving it behind.

The defendant, who had previous convictions, told police he carried out the burglary to try and fund his heroin habit.

Mr Philip Rouse, defending, said Bone had stayed out of trouble and had shown "model compliance" with the probation order. He had relapsed into using heroin over the last six months.

Mr Rouse said: "He has been addicted to drugs since the age of 12 or 13."

Recorder Robert Warnock told Bone: "You in the past, with your drug habit, have been killing yourself and committing crime at a fearful rate."