A MAN in a van roused the suspicion of a milkman doing his early morning round because he was wearing a balaclava.

Blackburn magistrates heard Joseph Phillips claimed he had entered the van to get his head down but accepted routing through the glove box.

Phillips, 52, of Mitre Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to vehicle interference. He was sentenced to four weeks in prison for the offence and a further16 weeks for being in breach of a suspended prison sentence.

Graeme Tindall, prosecuting, said the suspended prison sentence had been imposed in October 2021 but the operational period had been extended in June when Phillips was convicted of attempted theft.

Mr Tindall said the van owner was not sure if he had left the van unlocked but there was no damage caused.

The milkman saw Phillips in the van wearing a balaclava at 4.30 am. The police were alerted and found Phillips hiding in a garden.

Laura Heywood, defending, said Phillips had been out drinking with a friend and when he returned to the supported accommodation where he was living he was refused entry.

"He went to his friend's address but couldn't rouse him and ended up walking the streets," said Miss Heywood. He saw this vehicle was open and went in to get his head down. He tooted through the glove box but nothing was taken."