A PENSIONER chased a burglar after he caught him searching through his possessions.

Mark Brogan, 42, made his escape from the property the same way he had got in – through a Perspex lean-to at the back, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The defendant was identified by the victim and his son-in-law who had later seen the defendant and followed him after realising he matched the description of the intruder.

Brogan, a heroin addict who had relapsed back into drugs, admitted burgling the property in Burnley on April 4. The defendant, of Leyland Road, Burnley, was sent to jail for 15 months.

Sentencing, Recorder Robert Crawford, who had read a letter of apology from Brogan, told him the victim had woken up to find him in his house. He said: “I don’t need to tell you what a shock that must have been for someone of 70.”

Mercedeh Jabbari, prosecuting, said the victim got up at 7.30am, went downstairs and found the defendant. He asked him what he was doing, the defendant did not respond and climbed out through the lean-to. The pensioner gave chase, but couldn’t keep up.

Later that day, Brogan, who had made off with £15 cash, a bank card and two watches, tried to sell a watch to a woman, saying it was worth £70, but he would charge £15. She refused.

Miss Jabbari said around the same time, the victim’s son-in-law saw the defendant in the area, followed him and both he and the pensioner later picked him out on a video identity parade.

Brogan was arrested and CCTV footage showed he had been in the area, where he had tried to sell a watch to a shopkeeper.

Richard Taylor, for Brogan, said he accepted custody was inevitable.

As soon as the householder appeared he had left immediately and there was no hint of aggression on his record.

Mr Taylor said: “He had been on heroin. He relapsed and this is the sad result. He has become drug-free again while in custody.”