A BURGLARY and attempted break-in in Burnley has a left a pensioner afraid to leave her own home, a court heard.

Jessie Cartin had been the victim of two aborted break-ins at her Whittlefield home, Burnley Crown Court heard.

In the latest Bryan Rothwell, 26, had tried to smash a bathroom window, remove beading from a bedroom window and taken the handle of a summer house door.

Later Mrs Cartin, in a statement to police, said that whenever she is at home she investigates ‘any noise’.

Prosecutor Sarah Statham told the court Mrs Cartin also said: “I am afraid to leave the house.”

The OAP had left her bungalow, which is surrounded by a high fence, on June 9, when a neighbour called to let her know they had heard the sound of a window being smashed.

Miss Statham said a mark was left on one of the windows and DNA evidence was recovered which led to Rothwell’s arrest.

Arrested and interviewed, he claimed he had been looking for scrap metal.

Rothwell, of Tay Street, Burnley, who admitted burglary, was given a 52-week prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Commenting on his victim, Judge Beverley Lunt said: “She now feels vulnerable, insecure and afraid. And she does not want to leave her home.

"I hope you are proud of yourself.

“I will give you this chance, and it is the only chance that you will get.”

Daniel Thomas, defending, said that since the offence his client had attempted to sort his life out.

He launched his own business as a handyman.

He had obtained City and Guilds certificates and risked losing his new livelihood.