A BURGLAR who struck three times in a night has been jailed for 20 months.

Scott McLarrie, 18, left a trainer at one property and was later found wearing only one shoe by police, Burnley Crown Court heard.

McLarrie of Chapel Street, Brierfield, who already had 45 previous convictions, was said to have been armed with knives at the properties and had one down his sock when he was arrested.

McLarrie admitted three burglaries and one count of aggravated vehicle taking.

Sentencing, Judge Barbara Watson told the defendant his record was appalling and made depressing reading.

She added, however, he had been taking advantage of the help and education on offer on remand and, given his difficulties, she was most impressed.

McLarrie, who cannot read or write but had got a cellmate to help him with a letter to the judge, was also banned from driving for 12 months.

David Macro, prosecuting, told the court in August a householder at Chatburn Park Drive, Brierfield, found the McLarrie in his hall at 11.30pm.

About 25 minutes later another resident of the road became aware of a shadowy figure, thought it was her son and went to the back door to let him in. McLarrie went in through the front door, pinched keys and helped himself to the woman's £1,500 Honda Civic.

Later, a householder in Fence was awoken and found McLarrie in his hall. McLarrie ran from the property, leaving a trainer and dropping a knife.

Police discovered McLarrie nearby wearing only one shoe. The Honda Civic was found in a ditch at the side of the Padiham bypass the next morning.