A SHOOTING victim turned burglar was found hiding in a building by a police dog when officers went to investigate a New Year's Eve raid.
Burnley Crown Court heard how Stephen James Leach, 47, one of two found at Burnley House, Westgate, in the town, was gunned down on his own doorstep in what was believed to be a case of mistaken identity two or three years ago.
Leach was with accomplice Marc Antony Wraight, 30, who was found coming out of the basement of the premises which were under renovation. Both admitted burglary with intent to steal.
Leach, of Grange Street, and Wraight, of Dean Street, both Burnley, were each given three month curfews, between 9pm and 7am, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Wraight also pleaded guilty to abstracting electricity.
Dylan Bradshaw, defending Leach, said he only started offending in 2003.
He went in the building to have a "nose around".
The solicitor went on: "Two or three years ago the defendant was shot on his doorstep in what police believe was probably mistaken identity."
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