A 'HAVE a go hero' has been praised by a crown court recorder after he chased two masked raiders who had tried to smash their way into a house.

Burnley Crown Court had been told how Kieron Flatley had sprung into action when he spotted the would-be burglars in the Lee Road area in Stacksteads.

Mr Flatley, who was working nearby, saw the pair, wearing balaclavas and armed with a bar and screwdriver, and challenged them in an alley at the back of the property. The two men ran towards him with the weapons.

Mr Flatley chased the two men, who tore through neighbouring gardens, breaking furniture and guttering before leaping over a shed roof into a cemetery. He kept up the pursuit for about 15 minutes until police arrived and took over.

Mr Flatley's courage was publicly recognised as one of the two men, Leigh Sledden, 30, was jailed for eight months.

Sledden, of Lower Deardengate, Haslingden, had admitted attempted burglary, common assault and damage, on June 21 and had been committed for sentence by magistrates. He had 32 previous offences on his 'very extensive record.'

Sentencing Sledden, Recorder Margaret Rylands said Mr Flatley's actions had been 'rather heroic.'

She told the court: “I would like to give a public, verbal commendation to Mr Flatley, who behaved in a very brave way. He behaved in a most public-spirited way. He gave chase for over 10 minutes to two men who were wearing balaclavas and also had weapons, until such time as the police came and the defendant was apprehended.”

Kathryn Johnson, prosecuting, said Mr Flatley knew Martin Lord, who lived at the house and saw him leave. Almost immediately, he then saw two men go round the back and became suspicious. When he challenged them, they then ran at him.

Mr Flatley was scared and turned and ran, shouting to colleagues to pass him a bar.

The men then fled, pursued by Mr Flatley.