A FATHER-OF-TWO who broke into a house thinking there was a cannabis farm inside made off with a camera and a television after discovering there were no drugs in the home.

Jayden Whitehead avoided being sent to prison for his crimes after it was heard his behaviour had stemmed from a drug problem he picked up after finding his dead father’s body in September of 2018.

The 19-year-old, who has several previous convictions, broke into a house on Ivory Street in Burnley with an unknown accomplice thinking that there was a cannabis farm inside – but when the pair discovered they had been wrong, they instead riffled through the home and stole a mobile phone, a television and a camera.

When the homeowner returned to his house on the morning he first noticed that his TV was missing from his front room before realising that the kitchen window had been smashed too. There was blood in the house which the police were later able to match to Whitehead.

Prosecuting, Emma Kehoe added that aggravating features included the fact he was under the influence of drink and drugs and that the offence was carried out under the cover of darkness.

Defending, Neil Howard said: “The defendant’s father had a long history of battling with drugs and the pair had a difficult relationship.

“In September of 2018, things were positive for my client, but then he discovered his father dead. This had a tremendous impact on him and he reverted himself to taking drugs such as valium and crack cocaine. His life became chaotic.”

Mr Howard went on to say that his client had been experiencing great remorse ever since.

He said: “He has struggled to explain his logic for his behaviour. In retrospect he admits the complainant is a hard-working gentleman who did nothing to deserve this – and that weighs heavily upon him.”

The court also heard how Whitehead, of Swallow Park, Burnley, is expecting his third child at the end of the month.

Sentencing him to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, judge Nicholas Barker said: “You suffered the tragic loss of your father in September. This was a tumultuous event in your life.

“This court takes sympathy for your tragedy.”