A qualified joiner ‘sneaked’ into a house and stole car keys after drinking alcohol and taking sleeping pills.

Thomas Bank entered through an unlocked door on Station Close in Rishton before taking the car keys of a Honda Civic.

However Burnley Crown Court heard how he set off the car alarm and was chased by owner and his wife.

Bank, 20, pleaded guilty to burglary and attempted vehicle theft and was given a six-month term in a young offenders institution, suspended for 18 months with a 40-day activity requirement and a 12 week curfew.

Alison Heyworth, prosecuting, said Bank ‘sneaked’ into the house at around 4.40pm on April 5 this year and the owner thought it was their dog walker returning.

The court was told how he heard a car alarm outside and after a few minutes realised it was from his Honda Civic.

Miss Heyworth said when he went outside he saw ‘drunk’ Bank nearby who asked if he had seen his football.

The court was told how the victim helped Bank look for the ball before later realising his car keys were stolen.

Miss Heyworth said: “[The victim] got into his van and drove around the area trying to find him.

“He saw the defendant not very far away with two other men and [the victim] asked him where the keys were.”

Ms Heyworth added that he then kept Bank under surveillance until the police arrived.

Richard Dawson, defending, said Bank had consumed ‘far too much’ alcohol than was good for him along with sleeping tablets.

He said: “His behaviour on this afternoon was him on a frolic of his own.

“This provides no excuse for his behaviour but is an explanation to why he behaved in this out of character way.

“He was taking steps to try and make his way home and had gone to a local train station.

“He was under the influence and he thought he had a better idea but readily accepts it was entirely wrong and inappropriate and obviously criminal.

“There was no actual property stolen.”

Judge Jonathan Gibson said Bank, of Astbury Close, Darwen, was ‘verbally abusive and brazen’ with the victims and caused them ‘considerable distress’.

He said: “It’s just as well for you the alarm went off as if you had driven off in your condition the result could’ve been dreadful.”