A FORMER security guard who raided a house on Christmas Eve, helping himself to family presents, is behind bars.

David Buttle, 23, had been to jail for 15 months since the offence in 1996, and even though his fingerprints were found, he was not caught up with until June this year, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Judge Raymond Bennett said he was quite satisfied that had the previous court known of the break in, the sentence would have been higher.

The judge, sitting with two magistrates, told Buttle the offence was "mean" and sent the defendant to prison for four months.

Buttle, of Windermere Avenue, Huncoat, admitted burglary and had been committed for sentence by Hyndburn magistrates.

Sue Riley, prosecuting, said the occupant of the house, on Ashworth Street, Baxenden, had been away from home, looking after his sick father. He went to take his dog a walk and to check on his home and found the light on and a door open.

The victim went into his house and found all the Christmas presents he had bought had gone, along with alcohol, a portable television and a watch of sentimental value, which had been a gift from his mother.

A scenes of crimes officer attended and Buttle was later arrested after fingerprints were found.

Mrs Riley said when the defendant was interviewed, he said he did not know where Baxenden was and denied going there.

He said if fingerprints were taken, he still did not remember that particular burglary. Buttle, a security guard, had one previous conviction for burglary.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said Buttle, who had a four-year-old daughter he was in regular contact with, had not worked for seven years because of a back injury. He was on sickness benefit.

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