A BURGLAR found under a bed after he was missed during a police search has been jailed for two and a half years.

Scott Mullen got stuck after seizing jewellery at the home of his victim.

After police had gone following a fruitless search, he was discovered by car salesman Steven Smith who managed to hang on to him during a struggle before officers returned to his Blackburn address.

Preston Crown Court heard that it was not the first time Mullen had given police the slip that day. He had earlier been found in a car with stolen power tools in the boot.

The 27-year-old defendant of Gordon Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to burgling the house in Shorrock Lane, Blackburn, stealing a quantity of jewellery. He appeared for sentence on a handling offence.

A judge ordered that the two and a half years term be added to a six-month sentence that had since been imposed on Mullen.

Both crimes were carried out on Christmas Day.

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, said the burglary was carried outat 5pm while Mr and Mrs Smith were visiting relatives.

Mullen was to claim in police questioning that he had got in through an open first floor window. He had tried to disable the alarm system.

Police were alerted to the fact that a burglary was taking place. But they departed after they made a search and were unable to find anyone.

Mr Lamberty told how the burglar was later discovered: "Mr Smith was doing tidying up in his 11-year-old daughter's bedroom when he realised there was a man under the bed. He saw trainers.

"He took hold of the man - the defendant - who said he was stuck. He took him downstairs and there was a brief struggle while Mr Smith retained him in the porch until police arrived."

Mullen, who had a number of previous burglary convictions, had stolen jewellery on him. The property was recovered. Defence barrister Mark Stuart said Mullen had been involved in drugs. He previously raised money for the habit by committing offences.

Mr Stuart added "He apologises very much to the householder. He had no intention of any confrontation whatsoever.

"He panicked when the house was searched and hid under the bed. He was terrified."