A HOUSE raider struck on New Year’s Eve, as his victim was out at a party, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates heard how Gary Edwards, 20, and an alleged accomplice knew the victim and that she was out. She came back to her Haslingden home in the early hours to find a £160 TV had been taken.

Edwards, 20, of Rosewood Avenue, Haslingden, admitted burglary at Piccadilly Street home, on or between last December 31 and January 1 this year. He was bailed until January 31, for a pre- sentence report.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said the pair had gone into the woman's house when it had been left unlocked.

The victim had gone to a party at a friend's home nearby. She had left at 10pm and when she returned at 2am, she found the TV had been stolen, cupboards and the fireplace had been pulled over and ornaments had been smashed. The television was later recovered.

Mrs Mann said: “It is a fairly close-knit community and somebody told her daughter the defendant accepted he had been involved. They knew the occupants were out and it would be an easy grab.”