AN early-hours chip shop raider caught by police climbing out of the window was today starting a 12 month jail term.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the targeted property, in Padiham, had living quarters above and the owner, who was in bed, could have come face to face with culprit Mark Wilkinson.

Sentencing Wilkinson, 25, said to have been incoherent, drowsy and suffering the effects of drugs at the time Recorder Hiranya Narayan said only custody could be justified.

The judge said the victim had contacted police instead of going downstairs, but a confrontation had been possible.

Wilkinson, of Church Street, Padiham, had admitted burglary with intent to steal, in January. His previous convictions included offences of burglary.

The court was told the occupant was awoken by noises coming from the shop at around 2.45am.

He called the police and the defendant was arrested climbing out of the window. A small amount of property had been taken but none was found on Wilkinson.

The defendant was incoherent, drowsy and visibly under the effects of some drug or other. The defendant told the police he had not been thinking clearly as he had had a lot of pills.