A BURGLAR who attacked the owner and a friend when they disturbed him in the early hours, is behind bars.

Burnley Crown Court heard how drunken Egidijus Baikovas, 33, who had a long criminal record and had spent almost a third of his life in jail, had gone out armed with a screwdriver to break into a property.

He was in the unoccupied premises on Cooper Street, Nelson, which was about to be let, when owner Mohammed Rafique and his friend, Mohammed Chaudhry spotted the light on at 3am.

As Mr Rafique went inside, Baikovas hit him repeatedly to the head and face.

He then struck Mr Chaudhry with a bottle, which smashed on his hand.

Baikovas, of Carr Road, Nelson, had admitted burglary and two counts of assault.

He was jailed for 18 months and now also faces deportation to his native Lithuania on his release.