A HOUSEHOLDER disturbed late at night looked out to see a man trying the door of his car.

Blackburn magistrates heard that as he watched Christopher Anthony Dinsdale tried four other vehicles as he walked down the street.

Dinsdale, 28, of New Wellington Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to five charges of attempted theft from a vehicle and handling a stolen car key.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 12-day rehabilitation activity and a curfew for eight weeks between 7pm and 7am.

He was ordered to pay £30 victim surcharge.

Richard Prew, defending, said the offences pre-dated an 18 week prison sentence imposed on his client.

During that sentence Dinsdale went through a drug detox programme and had tested clean since his release.

"He's doing really well on his post-custodial supervision and is hoping to enlist for further training as a bricklayer," said Mr Prew.