A WOMAN who burgled the homes of two elderly people is beginning a two-year jail sentence.

Tara Cooper, 20, of Birchall Avenue, Darwen, took £360 from a pensioner who had been saving up for Christmas.

Cooper pleaded guilty to two offences of burglary. Magistrates had committed her to Preston Crown Court for sentence.

Jo Shepherd, prosecuting, said the first offence, in Ribble Avenue, Darwen, involved the home of a partially sighted man in his 70s.

He was in his living room at about 1.45am when he realised several people were in his home. A woman asked him for money and his belongings were searched.

Miss Cooper said £20 was taken, as well as cigarettes.

Cooper's prints were found in a kitchen and she told police she had crawled through the window. She insisted she had been pushed through in order to let others in. She denied taking money herself.

The other burglary was at the home of an 82-year-old man in St Albans Road, Darwen. He had previously come across the defendant and another young woman through going to an off-licence.

On that date he called at her home, taking some sherry for her. After a while she said she was going out.

When he checked his jacket, his flat keys were missing. He returned home and found £360was missing.

Cooper later claimed she had only taken around £200. She told police she had a £30-£60 a day heroin habit.

Defence barrister Richard Haworth said her problem had been an addiction to alcohol and heroin.