A MIDDLE-aged raider who targeted an empty house for copper piping, has been locked up for a year.

Anthony Burnett, 45, had been found coming out of the back of the property on Piccadilly Street, Haslingden, and had had a "wrestling match" with a police officer as he tried to get over a wall and escape, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The hearing was told police found the house flooded after the piping had been removed, a torch and a wrench had been left and the rear kitchen door had been forced open.

Burnett, who has dishonesty on his record and has served four and a half years behind bars for wounding with intent, had admitted burglary and resisting police, on March 22.

The defendant, of Elm Street, Haslingden, had been committed for sentence by Pennine Magistrates.

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, said the defendant knew the house had been vacated. At about 6.45pm, a neighbour saw three men near the house, was suspicious and telephoned police. Officers arrived to hear noises from within the property and saw light moving about.

Burnett was coming out of the back, was surprised to see the officer and tried to get over the wall. She used her pava spray and he was arrested. Damage to the tune of almost £1,000 had been caused at the premises. Nothing was taken.

Mr Lamberty said when the defendant was questioned, he claimed innocence and said he had seen or heard something untoward in the house and had gone in to stop it. Burnett had burglaries from a a considerable time ago on his record.

David Traynor, for Burnett, said: “He is no longer a young man. When he was a young man, he was in and out of prison.”