A MAN disturbed as he burgled a house threw a can at a witness as he tried to escape.

Blackburn magistrates heard that despite being hit on the head by the can the man was able to overpower Samuel Thomas Caddis until police arrived.

Caddis, 38, of Helmsdale Road, Burnley, pleaded guilty to burglary of a house in Rutland Street, Nelson, and assaulting Tamoor Munir.

He was jailed for 12 weeks and ordered to pay £115 compensation on his release.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said at about 4pm Mr Munir heard noise coming from the house which belonged to a relative and was being renovated.

"As he went to investigate the defendant came running out of the property and threw a can at him," said Miss Allan.

"The can hit him on the ear, causing a cut, but he still managed to take hold of the defendant and restrained him."

Mark Williams, defending, said the property was very much under renovation and was like a building site.

"He says the rear door was insecure and this may well be a case of someone having been in there before him," said Mr Williams.

"He realises he needs to sort himself out."