A THIEF burgled a Morecambe home as the family dozed in front of the television waiting for a boxing match on satellite TV.

The thief, who had been released from prison just seven days before, was confronted by the householders but managed to make off with a CD player and cash.

Raymond Mooney, 28, who was living in Morecambe at the time of the offence, was sentenced to two and a half years for the burglary and three months on top for breaching his bail.

Preston Crown Court heard that the burglary occurred on Fairhaven Way in Morecambe on October 21 last year.

A man living at the property had dozed off with his family while waiting for a televised boxing match but he awoke at 2.45am and disturbed Mooney who fled when confronted.

The householder picked him out of an identity parade three weeks later. During the trial Mooney said he had not been responsible and had simply been out walking but later retracted his denials and accepted the conviction.

Defending, Mr Charles Brown, said: "He apologises through me sincerely to the court and to the complainant and all those involved in the case. He did not attend court on an earlier date because of fear of the consequences. He had got a job and was working seven days a week. He saw it as his first chance in ten years to form a stable life."

Mooney had stayed out of trouble since the burglary.

The judge , Recorder Andrew McLoughlin, said the householder's two year old son had also been the in the lounge at the time of the crime. Even though the light and TV had been on, Mooney still saw fit to carry out the crime.

The Judge added: "such an offence leaves someone with a sense of insecurity.

"This event involved a confrontation, though a short one."