A HOUSEHOLDER awoke to find a burglar stealing food from his fridge, a court was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard teenager Anthony Dewhurst broke into Christopher Moore's Barnoldswick home because he was homeless and wanted food and shelter.

Mr Moore, who lived with his elderly father, went downstairs after being awoken by his dog barking and then let the intruder out after the defendant became very agitated.

Dewhurst, who stole a pork pie, sat on Mr Moore’s settee for 20 minutes to warm up before being found. He was spared jail after the court was told he now had accommodation and was working as a labourer for his brother.

Dewhurst, 19, of Manchester Road, Barnoldswick, admitted burglary, last July 17. He was given an 18 month community order, with 18 months' supervision and 120 hours unpaid work.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, said Mr Moore asked the defendant what he was doing when he found him. The defendant replied: “I thought somebody had broken into your house and I came in to get them out.” The victim also discovered £5 was missing.

Dewhurst told police said he had been homeless for about three or four months and had wanted shelter.

John Woodward, defending, said: “His motivation wasn't to steal to fund a habit. It was to try and find some shelter and some food, but the householder must have been terrified."