A MAN who had left his blood at the scene of a burglary predicted the outcome when he bumped into his solicitor in Burnley town centre.

Blackburn magistrates heard Dean Irving told Mark Williams he had "done something stupid" and left his blood and he would be seeing him soon.

The court heard Irving was traced by a DNA hit to his blood and charged with burglary.

Irving, 46, of Mitre Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to burglary at Howarth Gallery, St James Street, Burnley, and theft of a brass door stop in the form of a foxes head, a cast iron doorstop in the form of a horse, a fire fender in brass and steel and a sculpture of a child sat on a pile of dolly mixtures together worth £2,550.

He was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for six months and made subject to a community order for 12 months with a six months drug rehabilitation requirement and 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement, a curfew for eight weeks and ordered to pay £200 compensation.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said a side window at the Howarth Gallery had been smashed and the items in the charge stolen. She said it would cost £1,000 to repair and replace the window.

"The defendant was arrested after a member of the police contacted police and reported a man lying face down in some bushes," said Mrs Yates.

Mr Williams said the business was currently closed because of lockdown.

"If the matter is dealt with by the insurance company there my be no loss or inconvenience to the business but we don't know if that is the case," said Mr Williams. "At the time he was living on the streets and simply saw this as an opportunity," said Mr Williams.

District Judge Joanne Hirst said the easiest thing for her to do would be to impose an immediate custodial sentence.

"I am prepared to give you a chance," she added.