AN OPPORTUNISTIC thief who broke into a family home while the occupants were out ringing in the New Year has been jailed.

Dad-of-one John Fennell, ‘ransacked’ a home on Clough Lane in Simonstone, stealing over £60,000 worth of goods and an Audi Car while the homeowners were out celebrating.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Fennell, who was joined by an accomplice, goaded his victims by sticking his middle finger up at a CCTV camera and leaving objects, such as a pair of Christmas pyjamas, underneath a pillow in the master bedroom.

Prosecuting, Emma Kehoe said: “When the family returned at around 1.30am on New Years Day, they found that the patio door had been smashed.

“The whole home had been ransacked and everything had been gone through, including the children’s bedrooms.

“Valuable items including the keys to a 2017 Audi TT had been taken.”

In total, over 60 valuable items were stuffed inside a duvet which had been taken from one of the beds and placed inside Fennell's car.

Shortly after leaving the Simonstone property, Fennell arrived to another home on Ward Way in Rawtenstall, with the intention of going on a second stealing spree.

But by this stage police had already been made aware of the first break-in.

Mrs Kehoe said: “Police were contacted straight away about the first burglary and were able to track down the offender's vehicle.”

There was a short police chase before Fennel, of Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle, was arrested. The second man, who has never been identified, got away.

Officers confirmed that a duvet cover containing the content's of their haul was found inside the car and said Fennell was wearing something over his face to protect his identity.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, residents of the Simonstone address said they now feel ‘unsafe’ in their own home as a result of the event.

Defending, Joshua Bowker said: “My client realises that this act was performed out of sheer stupidity. He was not getting on well with his partner at the time and was abusing drugs. He was at a time in his life when he was making stupid decisions.”

Sentencing Fennell to 40-months imprisonment, Judge Andrew Jefferies said: “When people were out celebrating the New Year you took the opportunity, on two occasions, to break in to their homes while they were looking forward to the New Year.

“In the first case you ransacked the home and took over 60 items. The fact the family now feel unsafe in their own home is a natural consequence of your actions.”