AN upholsterer who stopped at a young mother's home on Christmas Eve returned the next month to raid her children's Playstation 2.

Michael McNulty, 20, had been a guest at the woman's home and knew the £180 games console belonged to her youngsters. He broke into the Burnley property to put his head down for the night but on impulse took the Playstation with him when he left the next morning.

The defendant was looking to sell the game in a bid to fund his "low grade" cannabis habit, Burnley Crown Court heard.

McNulty, who has ambitions to go to university, later went to the police station to own up but lost his nerve. The defendant escaped jail even though a judge said house raiders normally ended up behind bars and McNulty should be under no illusions about that.

Sentencing, Recorder Arthur Noble said the offence was "mean to say the least" but a redeeming feature of the case was that McNulty's conscience appeared to have got the better of him when he went to the police.

McNulty, of Amersham Grove, Burnley, admitted burglary and had been committed for sentence by Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Magistrates for sentence. He was given 100 hours community punishment and two years' community rehabilitation - and was warned if he breached the order he would "almost inevitably" to go prison.

Tim Storrie, prosecuting, told the court the Playstation 2 had been a gift to victim Sarah Ashton's children and they enjoyed using it. Her house was burgled on January 26 and she came home to find the rear kitchen window had been broken. The victim contacted a friend who told her he was aware somebody had been trying to sell a PS 2 the day before.

Mr Storrie said police began inquiries and the defendant went to the police station voluntarily. He claimed he had bought the Playstation from a friend. The stolen property was recovered.

Richard Taylor, defending, said McNulty had no previous convictions for any form of dishonesty. The defendant, who did not enjoy a good relationship with his stepfather, had been out and went home to find he was locked out. In drink and despondent he realised the victim's house was empty.

Mr Taylor said McNulty's original intention had been to go to sleep in the house. He did not know why he decided to pick up the Playstation and leave the following morning. He felt very guilty about what he had done.