A THIEF helped himself to a handbag from a vicarage, but then handed it back when confronted by the vicar, a court heard.

Burnley Crown Court heard how David Wallace, 23, was later that same night disturbed by another householder in his kitchen, hid in a driveway, ran off but was caught by police after a short chase.

Wallace was sent to custody for 18 months by Recorder Geoffrey Lowe who said there was no prolonged dispute between the defendant and the vicar, but burglary was always a very serious offence.

The defendant, of Edward Street, Bacup, admitted burglary, asked for one offence to be considered and had been committed for sentence by the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Magistrates.

The court heard how the vicar of St Saviour's Church in Bacup, was at home in the study when he heard a noise at the front door.

He saw the door open and the defendant standing there, clutching his wife's handbag. Wallace was asked by the complainant what he was doing, asked if the house was John Dalton's and headed for the front door. The vicar took the handbag, the defendant released it, left and the police were called.

A description of Wallace was circulated and officers were looking for him when a short time later another householder in Bacup disturbed an intruder in his kitchen. The defendant was detained by police after he ran off but was caught and was later picked out by the vicar on an identity parade.

Wallace did not say he admitted the offence and did not say he denied it, but told officers he had been very drunk and couldn't remember.

Adam Roxborough, defending, said Wallace knew custody would follow. He accepted there was a confrontation with the vicar but he offered no violence and did not issue threats. The bag was returned to its owner.

The defendant had let himself down very badly. His offending had diminished since he moved to Burnley and away from the area where he had associated with individuals who were like minded. Wallace had settled down, got a job and was trying to put himself on the straight and narrow. There had been a gap of about 12 months or so where he did not commit any offences.

The defendant had been very drunk and gave way to temptation. He knew he had thrown away what he had achieved over the last few months and put his future prospects in jeopardy. The defendant may have to start all over again on his release from prison.