A BURGLAR who broke into an electricity sub-station in Burnley leaving hundreds of homes without power was caught by DNA from a cigarette butt, a court heard.

Ronald Houghton also risked a 6,600 volt shock after forcing his way into the building on Sycamore Avenue on January 5, Burnley magistrates were told.

An engineer had been dispatched after complaints had been received by Electricity North West about a power cut in the area, said prosecutor Lynne Sayers.

And when he arrived he saw two men, tools and cigarette butts lying around on the floor, the court heard.

Miss Sayers said Houghton and his accomplice managed to flee but the cigarette ends were recovered and DNA from them was matched with Houghton’s profile.

An identity parade was also staged and the engineer was able to pick out the 56-year-old from a line-up.

She told the court that a compensation claim had also been drawn up, which included damage caused to the sub-station during the break-in and a fine, incurred by the electricity company, because of the loss of power.

Houghton, of Kime Street, Burnley, admitted burglary with intent to steal and was committed on bail for sentence to the town’s crown court on May 4.

He also pleaded guilty to another burglary charge, along with Jason John Mansfield, 34, of Kime Street. Mansfield was also committed for sentence.

Speaking after the case, an Electricity North West spokesman said: “Attempting to steal from the electricity network is an incredibly stupid thing to do. In this case the substation contained live equipment carrying 6,600 volts.

“‘Danger of death’ signs are there for a very good reason, and anyone who breaks into a substation to steal from the electricity network is lucky to come out alive.”

Seventeen households lost power for around three hours as a result of the break-in, he added.