A DRUG-ADDICTED house raider who tried to break into a neighbour's home has been sent to prison for 18 months.

Burnley Crown Court was told that father of six Darren Thorpe, 38, who had gone to the house armed with a screwdriver and other tools, knew the property was empty and thought there might be things worth stealing.

Thorpe had been given a community order with drug treatment just two weeks before the offence, the court heard.

He claimed that he was just trying to dismantle the dog kennel at the house, which he said he had been promised by the victim but a jury did not believe him and found him guilty.

The defendant, who has a long criminal record, had earlier been convicted of attempted burglary.

Thorpe, of Ivy Street, Burnley, denied the allegation.

Sentencing, Recorder Stephen Davies told Thorpe although he had become drug-free while on remand, he had had no compunction about trying to steal things from a neighbour.

Julie Taylor, for Thorpe, said all his offending was drug-related and he now realised that things had to change.