A "DESPICABLE" drug addict targeted the elderly and vulnerable to fund his £36,000 a year habit.

On one occasion a pensioner was pulled along the floor as he tried to stop Sean Lewis stealing his wife' s handbag.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Lewis, 25, repeatedly targeted the elderly and had sneaked into victims' homes as they sat outside enjoying the recent heatwave.

Lewis, who has a record for similar offences, went out thieving to fund his £100 a day heroin addiction and had a nine year record of dishonesty.

The defendant, of Bowland Avenue, Burnley, was jailed for four and a half years, after admitting three burglaries and asking for nine offences to be considered.

Sentencing, Recorder Neville Biddle slammed Lewis' behaviour as despicable. He continued: "You quite clearly have deliberately targeted elderly victims, vulnerable victims in society, to fund your drug habit. Anybody who targets elderly victims commits a very serious offence and must expect to go to prison for a significant period of time."

Silvia Dacre, prosecuting, said Herbert and Margaret Hill, aged 73 and 72, lived in Nelson. Mrs Hill was unwell and rarely left the bedroom. On May 21, the defendant let himself in, went into the bedroom and pushed past Mrs Hill's legs to take her handbag. He knocked over a table with her meal on and she poured a cup of tea over him.

As he tried to leave with the bag, Mr Hill intervened, grabbed hold of the defendant's leg and was pulled along the floor. Lewis escaped with the bag containing cash and a sentimental rosary cross.

Miss Dacre said on June 11, an elderly couple were sitting in the sun in Athens View, Burnley, when the defendant sneaked into their home and stole two purses containing £35.

A week later, a 77-year-old woman living in Holcombe Drive, Burnley, was also sitting outside when she saw a person inside her home and then leaving it. Lewis had taken a manicure set which looked like a purse. The defendant was arrested and apologised for the offences.

Michael Murray, defending, said the offences were very serious and condine punishment would follow.

Lewis did not commit any deliberate violence to the victims nor did he make any threats of violence.