A RAIDER caught red-handed attacking a working men’s club by police had stolen £575 from a bandit machine – called Cops and Robbers – a court heard.

Jobless dad-of-one, David Driver, 34, had gone to great lengths to try and deactivate the burglar alarm but it had still gone off.

He had caused £2,000 worth of damage at the premises in Barnoldswick, and was said to have taken a balaclava and pair of gloves.

The defendant leapt over a wall when officers turned up, but was arrested and the loot taken off him, Burnley magistrates heard.

Driver, who has had an amphetamine habit, but is now his epileptic partner’s carer, had served two jail terms for similar offences.

This time he won his freedom.

The defendant, who had been locked up for a day after the break-in, was given a 12-month community order, with 180 hours unpaid work and must pay £250 compensation.

Driver, of Cutler Crescent, Stacksteads, admitted burglary on June 23..

Janet Sime, for Driver, said her client had been out of trouble for three years.