A BURGLAR who broke into the home of a former friend when he knew she would be away and stole £900 worth of property has been jailed for five months.

Gary Crawford broke in through a rear window but cut himself, leaving blood at the scene. Forensic tests matched the blood with him.

Crawford is currently serving an 18-month youth custody sentence for wounding with intent.

On Friday a judge at Bolton Crown Court jailed him for five months for the burglary and a Bail Act offence, and ordered the sentence be served consecutively to his current sentence.

Crawford, aged 19, of Stirling Grove, Whitefield, admitted one charge of burglary and failing to surrender to the court.

Lisa Boocock, prosecuting, said a resident in Stirling Grove had left her house secure while she spent a couple of days away.

While she was away a neighbour saw a rear window had been forced and the back door left open. When the resident returned she found electrical items, a PlayStation, games and gold jewellery worth £900 was missing. None of the goods were recovered.

Recorder Elizabeth Nicholls said it was an unpleasant burglary of the home of Crawford's former friend.

carried out when he knew she was not there.