A HEROIN addict who got hard drugs to pass on to his equally addicted girlfriend is behind bars for two years and nine months.

Father of three Mark Walsh, 33, raided a mother of two's home as the family slept after forcing a window.

He was arrested and taken to Accrington police station, where officers found heroin and crack cocaine on the cell floor.

Walsh's partner had given him £50 to get drugs for the pair of them and he had put them into his mouth while being taken into custody, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Sentencing Walsh, whose barrister had urged the court to make a drug treatment and testing order, Recorder Anthony Edwards said he was entirely suitable for such an order but he would be failing in his duty if he did not send the defendant to jail.

The judge, who added Walsh had not been playing his proper role within his family, said the defendant would benefit from a drug testing order but it was not a course the court should take.

Walsh, of Perth Street, Oswaldtwistle, had admitted burglary and possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, said the defendant helped himself to a PlayStation and games, a handbag and two bottles of whisky from the victim's house in Oswaldtwistle during the night.

Walsh, who was with an accomplice, took away the haul in a bag of baby items after emptying the contents on the floor.

He left footprints on the worktop and a chair and these were later matched to the trainers the defendant was wearing.

Ken Hind, defending, said under normal circumstances, the offences would warrant jail but there was an alternative which would be beneficial both to Walsh and to the community.

Walsh had had a drug problem for 16 years and offended to fund his habit.

His partner was also addicted to Class A drugs but was now taking steps to deal with her problem.