AN ex-convict who raided a house also struck at a supermarket because he was homeless and had no cash, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates were told how Mark Stewart, 24, who had attacked Burnley Sainsburys in the past, told police it was an easy target, he had broken in before and thought he would do it again.

Stewart, said to have offended in the past to feed his drugs habitn, admitted burglary allegations.

The defendant, of Berry Street, Brierfield, was committed to Burnley Crown Court for sentence was remanded in custody.

The court was told the kitchen window of the house was smashed and property worth £300 taken.

It was the sixth time the victim had had her home invaded and she had been forced to move out of the area because she was in fear for her safety. Blood was left at the premises, a scenes-of-crimes officer was called and Stewart was linked through DNA.

Stewart was captured on CCTV in the early hours selecting spirits at Sainsburys and putting them into bin liners. Police were called and he was arrested.

He was taken to the police station and said he had committed the house raid to fund his drug habit. Stewart told officers he had struck at Sainsburys because he had just been released from custody, was homeless and did not have any money. Property worth £300 was again taken. Stewart has already served a three month sentence for a burglary at the store.

Paul Wood, defending, said the house had previously been broken into and Stewart got in through a window which had already been smashed.

He had not taken drugs while in prison, had overcome his habit and was now receiving methadone. The offences were nothing to do with addiction, but because the defendant was homeless.