A PLUCKY pub landlady confronted and chased a hooded late-night raider trying to steal her takings, and then grabbed the cash back, a court was told.

Sarah Matthews had been assaulted by heroin addict and prolific crook Terence Brown, 36, after she found him in her living quarters and tried to stop him escaping with the loot.

But, she still didn't give up and got back her £525, before he climbed out of a window at The Prince of Wales in Leeds Road, Nelson, last November 4, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Brown, who should have been obeying a night-time curfew, had been having a celebration drink or two.

He had not been sent to jail when he appeared in court earlier in the day, even though he was on a suspended prison term.

He had tried to get out of the pub by jumping through a window when challenged by Miss Matthews, but it was double glazed and he bounced off.

The hearing was told the defendant, who has almost 90 convictions, including burglary, assault, theft and attempted wounding, had been repeatedly locked up over the years, once for 51 months.

He was later arrested after leaving blood on the money bag and his fingerprints were found on the window in Miss Matthews’s bathroom, where he may have been hiding.

Brown, of Kendal Street, Nelson, admitted burglary in the living quarters of the pub and this time he was sent to custody for 29 months and six weeks.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, told the court Brown had been given six weeks in custody, suspended for a year by magistrates, three months before the burglary.

Richard Taylor, for Brown, who had been on remand, was realistic about what would happen to him.

He had abused heroin since he was 19 and had made various attempts to come off the drug.