A HAPLESS burglar chose the wrong cover story when he claimed to be a police officer, because the Leigh house he had broken into belonged to a policeman.

Michael Unsworth was disturbed by the home-owners returning and quickly explained why he was inside the property.

Bolton Crown Court heard that he said: "Don't worry, I'm the police," and claimed he was checking on their house for them.

But PC Andrew Fraser and his wife Catherine realised the story was false and Unsworth tried to fight his way out of the house by lashing out at both of them.

After a struggle, which spilled into the garden of the Leigh house, Unsworth was subdued. When police arrived he was found to be carrying a jewellery box and gold chains belonging to the Frasers.

Unsworth, aged 30, of Findlay Street, Leigh, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years for the crime, which happened in November, and was given 30 months to run concurrently for another burglary.

It was Unsworth's own DNA which trapped him for the first burglary, which happened in January last year at the home of Roy Stott in Astley Street, Tyldesley.

Mr Stott was asleep when he heard a smashing noise and found Unsworth in his back room with shattered glass on the floor.

Unsworth told him one of his mates had said he could sleep there.

Mr Stott took Unsworth to the front door and told him to leave and then called the police. Blood found on a venetian blind matched the DNA profile of Unsworth's.

A second DNA test also proved positive.

Sean Brogan, defending, said that Unsworth had been a heroin addict but was now drug-free.

Judge William Morris said that confrontation of home-owners in their own houses was a serious aggravation.

"You decided to steal in order to finance your addiction, which has been disastrous for you and your life."

Unsworth will serve his sentence after he has completed the 143 days on outstanding licence.