BURGLAR Lee Holden was grabbed and detained by the man whose house he had broken into.

Blackburn magistrates heard that as the two men struggled a second intruder made good his escape and Holden had refused to name him to the police.

Holden, 26, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary at the house in Kingfisher Close, Blackburn and was committed in custody to Preston Crown Court for sentence.

Julie Reddish, prosecuting, said the householder had been in bed but was having difficulty sleeping because of a bad back. He had been watching television and was just dropping off at about 3.30am when he heard a noise.

Mrs Reddish said the householder went to investigate and confronted Holden in another bedroom. "He was able to apprehend him and detain him until the police arrived," said Mrs Reddish.

"During the struggle he heard noises coming from downstairs and became aware that Holden wasn't the only person to enter his house."

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said Holden had got into significant debt as a result purchasing illegal drugs and had been cajoled into settling the debt by committing the offence.

He said the other man was also the man who was owed the money. "He accepts the matter is beyond this court's sentencing powers and is realistic enough not to instruct me to apply for bail this morning," said Mr Blacklidge.