A DAD twice raided his little boy's nursery in the middle of the night.

Drug addict Phillip O'Dea, 33, had targeted Oscar Bear Children's Nursery in Accrington, because he knew where cash was kept.

O'Dea, said to owe money to dealers, broke in by smashing glass in the the back door last September and November. He then helped himself to a total of about £1,500, Burnley Crown Court heard.

O'Dea owned up when he was later arrested, said he knew what he had done was terrible but he had been unable to think of anything but his drugs debt.

The defendant, who was given a suspended jail term last December for car theft, was said to be making "excellent progress" on the order.

The nursery offences were committed before the suspended term was imposed.

O'Dea, of Stanley Street, Accrington, admitted burglary and asked for an offence to be considered. He was given four months in prison, suspended for a year, with six months supervision.

David Macro, prosecuting, said in the first break-in, O'Dea stole more than £1,300 and on the second, he took about £200.

He was arrested last November 10, about a week after the second theft, because of forensic evidence and when questioned by police, admitted what he had done.

Judge Gibson did not make any order for compensation. He told O'Dea: "The nursery can take proceedings against you in the county court if they wish."