A MAN who was one of a group who ransacked a woman's home has been jailed for 18 months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Matthew Grist, 20, was on licence from custody at the time but a judge said he would not order him to serve the unexpired portion of the previous sentence.

Recorder Neil Flewitt said he was being lenient as Grist was still young and he wanted to give him something to look forward to.

He added although the £250 haul did not have a high monetary value, it was valued by the householder. Grist, of Lodge Street, Accrington, admitted burglary and breach of bail. Gavin McBride, prosecuting, said the offence was committed at a house in Richmond Hill Street, Accrington, when the occupant had gone away for a few days.

Panels in the rear door had been forced and all the rooms appeared to have been searched. Clothes were strewn all over the complainant's bedroom, the toilet seat had been ripped off and the bathroom carpet pulled up. Electrical equipment and ornaments had been stolen.

Grist claimed he had not stolen anything, but had gone in to browse round. None of the property was recovered.

Richard Hunt, defending, said Grist still maintained he did not benefit at all from the burglary. He was still only 20 and had been released from custody just before Christmas last year, having served 21 months of a lengthy sentence for robbery.