A JUDGE has praised three neighbours who helped thwart a gang of hooded burglars after a raid on a house in Padiham.

Recorder Alan Conrad, QC, thanked residents for their ‘commendable and very public spirited behaviour’ which led to the three defendants being caught.

He awarded each £200 from public funds.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the trio, Martyn Dwyer, 25, Russell Stansfield, 35, and Mary McCamon, 20, had turned up at the Warwick Drive property in a new Renault Megane courtesy car.

But three eagle-eyed neighbours were watching their every move and who alerted police.

Dwyer and Stansfield were challenged in the street and tried to make off in the car, with a £500 haul of tools.

The pair, who had abandoned McCamon, were stopped by officers, and most of the stolen goods recovered.

Dwyer, of Hallam Road, Nelson and Stansfield, of Newmarket Street, Colne were each jailed for a year.

McCamon, of West Street, Nelson, was sent to detention for 40 weeks.

All admitted the burglary last December 7.

Mark Stuart, for McCamon, said she had been vulnerable after the death of her partner. For Dwyer, Katie Jones said he struck for money for drugs.

Simon Gurney, defending Stansfield, said he was trying to recover a debt from the victim and when he was out, the trio took the matter into their own hands.