A WOMAN returned home from visiting her mother to find her home had been broken into and property stolen.

Blackburn magistrates heard the culprit had smashed a window to get into the house and left blood on a wall next to a light switch.

And DNA tests showed the burglar was an illegal immigrant from Afghanistan who had gone ‘off the radar’ since being arrested in Cheshire in 2007.

Ahmed Namatollah, 20, of Eldon Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to burglary at a house in St James Road.

He was jailed for 10 weeks. Christina Buchanan, prosecuting, said immigration officers had spoken to Namatollah and told him he will be deported.

She said the owner of the house in St James Road had gone to visit her mother at about 5 pm and returned just after 7 pm.

She saw that bedroom doors were slightly open and draws and wardrobes had been searched.

Imran Hussain, defending, said Namatollah had fled Afghanistan because of ill-treatment by the Taliban.

“He describes himself as an illegal immigrant and life has been difficult for him living in hiding,” said Mr Hussain.

He said Namatollah had been working for a builder and noticed the occupant of the house next-door had gone out.

“He apologises through me for his behaviour,” said Mr Hussain.