A MAN burgled a Darwen flat while the occupant was away -- and then returned to taunt him about security measures.

Anthony Mullen was shown to be responsible when forensic tests on a footprint impression at the scene matched his shoes.

This in turn led to an 18 months sentence being passed at Preston Crown Court.

Mullen, 29, of Birchall Avenue, Darwen, pleaded guilty to the burglary in March last year.

Miss Louise Whaites, prosecuting, said the occupant returned to his flat on Woodvale, Darwen, to find that a window had been smashed and another damaged. Property worth £325 was missing.

The next day Mullen and another man went to the flat to say the police had been round and that he should take more care with the flats' communal door.

The judge, Recorder Alan Booth said: "The only possible interpretation on what you did is that you were going to taunt the man who had burgled, telling him off."

Mr Tim Ashmore, defending, said Mullen had come off drugs by going through "cold turkey" and had now been working.