A BURGLAR who helped himself to a family's property as they slept has been sent to jail for two years.

Heroin addict Shane Johnson, 28, was the sort of young man who would hold down a job and have interests but for his habit, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Johnson, who had several previous convictions for house breaking, was told by a judge that burglary was a significant crime and people were fed up with it.

He added it was very much to the defendant's credit he had owned up when questioned about it and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Johnson, of Thompson Street, Padiham, admitted burglary at the house in Longton Road, Burnley, and handling stolen goods.

Arthur Stuttard, prosecuting, said the victims had gone to bed about 11pm and woke up the following morning to find somebody had entered the house through their back kitchen door.

They had not been disturbed. Some of the property was found at Johnson's home, along with a stolen driving licence.

Anthony Cross, defending, said Johnson had been very frank with the police and that frankness had led to him to facing a custodial sentence.

He had not forced entry to the house but had found the door ajar.

He was not arrested in possession of any items normally associated with burglary, such as gloves. Johnson had taken the opportunity to go in the house and steal but confined himself to parts where the occupants were not likely to be disturbed.

All the property was recovered.

Johnson's problem had been heroin but now he seemed perfectly pleasant, looked healthy and seemed to be clear of drugs.

Johnson had previously been a drummer in a rock group and, were it not for his addiction, would be the sort of young man who would be holding down a job, have interests and live a normal life.

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