A burglar who raided a beauty shop while on the run from returning to prison has been jailed.

Lee Sidlow, formerly of Albert Street, Accrington, ‘absconded’ from the authorities after being recalled from his licence period after breaking the conditions.

Burnley Crown Court heard how this triggered an end to his benefits and left him with no money and was the ‘motivation’ behind burgling The Sunbed Shop in Rishton.

Sidlow, who has 43 previous convictions for 90 offences including 16 burglaries, pleaded guilty to burglary and was jailed for eight months.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, told the court how Sidlow had ‘kicked in’ the rear door of the business on High Street on April 18 this year – around an hour after owner Danielle Baxter had locked up.

Sidlow then stole around £4,000 worth of cash and equipment including the cash till.

Mr Parker said Mrs Baxter discovered the burglary after returning the following night.

He told the court that a local female resident had seen Sidlow, 35, on a back street shortly after the incident ‘fumbling around picking money up off the floor’.

CCTV later showed Sidlow over a period of around 50 minutes approaching the area of the back of the shop and ‘going backward and forwards with several bags’.

Daniel Prowse, defending Sidlow, now of HMP Forrest Bank, said it was his first burglary offence in 14 years.

He told the court: “He was recalled to prison on licence because he was not living where he was supposed to be living. When he realised he was recalled he went on the run. He was able to claim benefits until he was recalled.

“That ended and that was the motivation behind his need for money.

“It can only be a custodial sentence because he was recalled and his previous record.

“It’s been 14 years since his last offence of burglary. He has been out of trouble now for some time for that type of offending.”

Judge Beverley Lunt said it was a ‘substantial burglary’.

Sentencing, she said: “You didn’t commit this offence because you were desperate for money, you committed this offence because you had been on the run and absconded.

“It’s a substantial burglary and it’s caused a great deal of inconvenience and financial loss to the lady who owned these premises.”