A BURGLAR caught by the homeowner he was trying to steal from has been jailed for 10 months.

Jason Dean, 46, crept into the house in Gloucester Road, Chorley, when the owner had gone to work as a carer at around 7am.

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But the woman called home at 8.10am to see Dean, of Eaves Lane, standing in her hallway.

She recognised him as the son of one of her clients and asked what he was doing, but Dean ran off out of the back door.

The woman noticed the doors upstairs had been opened, cupboard doors had been opened and a Kindle and mobile phone had been moved from the living room to the kitchen.

Dean handed himself in to police and pleaded guilty to burglary. His victim said she was frightened by the incident and afraid to be home alone at night in case an intruder came while she slept.

Preston Crown Court heard Dean has a history of drug and alcohol addiction. When he has it under control he is able to live a hard working and honest life.

However at the time of the burglary on April 21 he had lapsed back into his old habits and broke into the house through the back door to steal.

Judge Pamela Badley, sentencing, said: “This was a mean offence in that you committed a sneaky burglary of someone in the local area.

“It was bad luck for you that the house holder came back but of course, burglars always take that chance.

“At the age of 46 you are now an elderly burglar. “You probably realise that yourself but if you can conquer your drug problems there is no reason why you can’t go on to have a good life.”