A MOTHER-OF-THREE who burgled a house in Morecambe during the night has been jailed for four months. Preston Crown Court was told that the married couple living at the house were awoken from their sleep as 25-year-old Sarah Laverty broke in. She tried to barricade herself inside the kitchen when the couple came downstairs to investigate, and shouted threats to them.

Laverty, of Highfield Road, Carnforth, pleaded guilty to burglary and causing criminal damage.

Assistant Recorder Paul O'Brien told her: "I am afraid to say that this burglary is so serious that only a custodial sentence is justified.

"It gives me no pleasure to tell you this, but this was a house burglary committed in the early hours of the morning when the occupants were in bed.

"You can imagine the fear you put into them by what you did."

Andrew Lawson, prosecuting, said the burglary occurred at a house in West End Road, Morecambe, just after midnight on December 11 last year.

Hearing noises coming from downstairs, the couple went to investigate and found someone blocking the kitchen door shut.

From inside the kitchen, Laverty shouted at them: "You'd better get yourselves back upstairs."

The police were telephoned and they arrested as she tried to climb over a garden wall.

Two bottles of wine stolen from the house were found in her clothing. Mr Lawson told the court that after her arrest Laverty was taken to Morecambe police station.

While in the custody area she struggled with a woman police officer and ripped her blouse.

Patrick Thompson, defending, said Laverty was realistic enough to know she would probably be sent to prison, but the thought filled her with terror.

He told the court: "She is unable to comprehend why she was involved in this the first place.

"Her only explanation is that she had been drinking heavily and taking medication. The next thing she remembered was waking up the next morning in the police station."

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