A MUM-of-two who burgled homes across Burnley as her victims slept has been jailed for three years.

Andrea Taylor, 32, who struck at eight houses in the space of a month, was caught after leaving footprints at the properties, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The court was told that drug addict Taylor had been involved in a ‘catalogue of crimes’ but refused to name the others responsible.

Taylor, formerly of Dunoon Street, Burnley, admitted four burglaries and asked for four more to be considered in August and early September.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, told the court a householder on Dugdale Road got up at 5.30am to find the kitchen window had been opened.

Footballs and nets, computer games, money boxes and house and car keys had been stolen. His car was subsequently taken.

The victim later identified an X-Box game at the police station.

A second resident got up at 8am at her Scarlett Street home to find somebody had climbed through the living room window and that possessions including her handbag, £117 cash, cards and perfume were missing.

Mr Parker said footwear evidence linked the defendant to the two break-ins.

She was arrested and interviewed on September 8 and denied involvement.

Taylor later owned up after being told of further footwear evidence.

The prosecutor said Taylor also struck in Arkwright Street where alcohol, a digital camera and computer monitor were taken and in St Matthew Street where the haul included £70 cash, bank cards and computer games.

The occupant was very shaken up by the incident.

Two small children had been in the property at the time and he felt very angry and upset by the attack on his home.

Windows had been pulled open at both the properties.

The court was told Taylor had a “bad record”, particularly for dishonesty.

Richard Taylor, defending, said Taylor, who had been on remand for 69 days, was “realistic” about her fate.

When she was released from her last custodial term, she had had no support, went back on the waiting list for the community drugs team, had nowhere to live and returned to crime.

She had been on drugs for 12 years and they had not only ruined but ruled her life.

Taylor had tried to kill herself and had taken three overdoses inadvertently.

Taylor was keen that on her release from her latest sentence that she would get appropriate assistance. She was currently on methadone.

Mr Taylor added one of Taylor’s children was in care and the other was looked after by a relative.

He continued: “The defendant has led a pathetic life over the last number of years.”

After reading Taylor’s pre-sentence report, Judge Beverley Lunt said: “I don’t think I have ever read a more depressing line in my life.”