A FATHER who decided to embark on a 10-hour walk from Colne to Manchester after a night out broke into a house and stole a car after he got tired around five hours in.

Matthew Ferguson was out in Colne with a co-offender, who is yet to be identified, when the pair decided they wanted to go home to Manchester.

With no means of transport, the duo decided they would walk – but got tired once they reached Rawtenstall, breaking into a home and stealing a car each.

The 22-year-old was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison at Burnley Crown Court.

Prosecuting, Emma Kehoe said that the pair broke into a home on Billington Avenue at around 4am, waking a six-year-old child who was asleep in the house.

She said: “The victim was in bed with her husband when they were woken by their six-year-old daughter who ran into their bedroom at 4am to say the cat had disturbed her.

“Later in the morning when they went downstairs they realised that their cars had been taken from the drive.”

The family then checked their CCTV footage and saw two men inside their home, stealing a handbag and two sets of car keys – one to a Mini Cooper and the other a Skoda Superb.

The pair then made their way back to Manchester stopping on the way at a petrol station to buy cigarettes and snacks with one of the bank cards they had found in the victim’s handbag.

The Skoda had a tracker fitted and officers were able to trace the route the two men had driven, locating the car. It was as a result of this and the CCTV images that Ferguson was identified and arrested.

Ferguson of, Clarendon Road, Eccles, was wanted on prison recall at the time and remained in custody until he was sentenced.

Mrs Kehoe added: “The complainants didn’t file a victim impact statement, but I can only imagine how the offence will have affected her and her family knowing that two men entered their property at night when they were asleep.”

Defending Ferguson, who has a history of stealing cars, James Hayworth said: “He has written to both the family and the judge to demonstrate his remorse.”

Judge Nicholas Barker agreed that the defendant had shown he was sorry for his actions.

He said: “I have read the letter that you have taken care to write and I accept that your remorse is genuine and that you wish to put your offending behind you.”