A 43-year-old man looking for somewhere to get his head down for the night found himself in a Burnley town centre bookmaker’s.

Blackburn magistrates heard Ian Nuttall had a look around the shop and then left without taking anything or causing any damage.

But after being told the offence was the latest of a number committed in the centre the magistrates agreed to make an order which bans him from the area at night.

Nuttall, of Ulster Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to burglary at the Coral shop. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £115 vctim surcharge. He was made subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order for 12 months which prohibits him from going inside the inner ring road of Burnley town centre between 7pm and 7am.

Daniel Frazer, defending, said his client was homeless at the time of the offence and was looking for somewhere dry to spend the night.

“He entered the shop through an insecure fire door and was surprised to find himself inside the shop,” said Mr Frazer. “He had a look round and then left without taking anything.”