A MAN was caught in the act as he burgled a car dealership.

Blackburn magistrates heard officers who arrived at Perrys Vauxhall in Burnley saw Paul Denwood stacking computer equipment outside a broken window.

The court heard an officer climbed in through the same window and confronted Denwood inside the offices.

Denwood, 29, of Gill Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to burglary. He was jailed for 18 weeks and ordered to pay £500 compensation.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said police were alerted to an alarm at the Accrington Road, dealership at 1.56 am on Monday. From the 10 feet high security around the rear compound they could see a light on in one of the offices.

"They could also see a window had been smashed and computer equipment was stacked up out side," said Mrs Yates.

"As they watched the defendant came to the window and put more computer equipment outside."

Denwood went back into the offices and an officer climbed the perimeter fence and then went in through the open window.

Mrs Yates said Perrys estimated the cost of the damage caused at about £7,500.

Sjhe said Denwood had served previous custodial sentences for burglary and had been made subject to a community order on February 3.

David Lawson, defending, said it was an opportunistic rather than a planned offence.

"He says the window had already been damaged when he came across it," said Mr Lawson.

He said Denwood had been at a low ebb following an incident of domestic violence against him.

"He suffered a broken nose when his partner threw a plate at him and had to go to hospital," said Mr Lawson.

"He had to leave home and has been sleeping on a friend's sofa."