A burglar raided a house while a young family slept – only 10 days after being released from prison.

Gary Ward, of Bright Street, Oswaldtwistle, had served a 12-week jail term after a burglary at a non-dwelling earlier this year.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the 27-year-old then entered a house on Roe Greave Road in Oswaldtwistle last month only 10 days after being released from custody.

The court heard how Ward had committed 35 previous offences and this was his fourth house burglary.

He was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to burglary.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, told the court how Ward sneaked into the house through an unlocked door and stole a handbag, money, wallet, alcohol, cigarettes and a laptop worth a total of £1,500.

Mr Parker said the victims ‘didn’t see anything wrong’ the next morning but then realised his wallet and other items were missing when he returned home later in the day.

The court was told how Ward was caught using CCTV at the house and later identified by police.

James Heyworth, defending, said: “He believes he knows where the items are as he deposited them in a bush near the property.

“He is more than willing to provide information to the police.

“While he does have a terrible record for burglary and someone who is not even 30, there has been a five year gap between the last matter so to some extent he was getting his life back on track.”

Recorder Tania Griffiths QC said there was ‘no point’ in Ward confessing now to police that he knows where the stolen items are as they will be ‘unusable’ after six weeks.

Sentencing, she said: “Despite your young age you are a prolific burglar. This happened at night with two young children at home.

“You did not force an entry, but the feeling of invasion of entering a family home would have been significant, especially for the young children.

“You are just 27 years old and it’s an unbelievable record.

“It’s been said there has been a five year gap between your dwelling house burglaries but that’s only because you haven’t been at liberty to commit them.

“The only way you can be stopped is to be sent to prison.

“You will get the sentence which you deserve.”