A DRUG addict who raided a pensioner's house after she went into a nursing home, is behind bars for nine months.

Mohammed Afzal Khan, 33, was already serving an 11-month jail term, for offences including a house break-in.

Recorder Philip Butler said domestic burglary was always serious and although he had offended because of his misuse of drugs, the victim would suffer just as much regardless of the motivation behind the offence.

He said although the offence did not have aggravating features because the property was unoccupied only custody was appropriate.

The judge told Khan, a father-of-two, it was important that while he was in custody he took part in drug management to ensure he was not only clean on his release, but stayed that way and did not offend again.

Khan, of New Hall Street, Burnley, was convicted of burglary after a day-long trial, at Burnley Crown Court. The nine months will run consecutively to his current term.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said Khan had four and a half months left to serve of his current sentence and his earliest release date was 1 April.

He had been drug-free since he went into custody.