A BURGLAR who made off with a £300 haul, was caught after leaving a cigarette end.

Burnley Crown Court heard that Michael Queen's DNA was found on the cigarette end, but he later told police he could not explain how it got there.

Queen, who has spent five months on remand, walked free after a judge said he had served the equivalent of a 10-month sentence -- more then she would have given him.

Judge Barbara Watson said it was not in the public interest to send the defendant back to jail and a community sentence was a more constructive way of dealing with him.

Queen, of Honey Hole, Blackburn, had earlier admitted burglary. He was given a combination order of 50 hours community punishment and 12 months community rehabilitation.

Patrick Williamson, prosecuting, said the burglary victim found a cigarette end in the living room of his home in Higher Croft Road, Blackburn, and discovered electrical and personal items, together with some keys for two firms of local solicitors, were missing.

When the defendant was arrested, he said he could not explain the presence of his DNA on the cigarette but appeared to accept responsibility even though he had no recollection of events due to drink.