A SEASONED thief from Colne who turned back to crime after the stresses of dealing with a sick baby has been jailed for 876 days by a crown court judge.

Mark Lee McConnell, 32, of Oak Street had kept out of trouble for more than a year, as he and his partner welcomed their daughter into the world, Burnley Crown Court was told.

But the premature child had required emergency treatment and McConnell turned back to drink and drugs shortly afterwards, according to defence counsel Tim Storrie.

He was caught after breaking into a home in Colne and – with a criminal record for two previous house break-ins – Judge Andrew Woolman ordered him to serve the statutory minimum sentence as a ‘three-strike’ burglar.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, said householder Scott Medlam had been living at his home in Henry Street in the town on and off after beginning a new relationship with a woman with her own property.

He went back to check on his house in early May and spotted shards of glass on the carpet.

Mr Medlam later discovered that some of his fishing tackle had been taken and police were alerted.

DNA evidence was obtained from blood which was left on a kitchen counter, close to a window where it appeared an intruder had broken in.

McConnell, who also has a previous conviction for robbery, reckless arson and threatening a juror, was traced through forensic records and charged with the offence.

The court heard it was apparent that a number of other people had been inside Mr Medlam’s property, but McConnell was in no fit state at the time to prevent anyone else gaining access to the house.

Mr Storrie said his client who admitted the charge had a poor record of offending, but had steered clear of the courts recently.

But the strain of caring for his newly-arrived baby with his partner had told on him, according to the solicitor.

“What follows is an inglorious episode. People who are under the influence of drink and drugs then forget their obligations elsewhere,” he added.

But McConnell’s relationship with his partner ‘remained strong’, though his actions had ‘caused trouble at home’, said Mr Storrie.