A DRUG addict who burgled the home of an 86-year-old woman while she was in hospital has been jailed for two and a half years.

Najeeb Khan caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to doors and windows during the break-in on Spa Road, near the town centre.

But Khan fled empty-handed after he opened an internal door and set off the burglar alarm.

The burglary in September 2000 was noticed within hours when a relative saw the alarm light was flashing.

Khan, aged 28, of Cross Ormond Street, Deane, appeared for sentence at Bolton Crown Court.

He had admitted burglary, attempted burglary, taking a vehicle without the consent of the owner, driving without insurance and failing to surrender to bail.

A defence plea to have Khan assessed for a Drug Treatment and Testing Order was rejected.

Judge William Morris said Khan was in the grip of a "pernicious drug" and must have caused the 86-year-old woman great distress by the burglary.

He jailed Khan for a total of two and-a-half years, to be served after he completes a total of 189 days outstanding from two previous prison sentences. He was also banned from driving for 18 months.

Prosecutor Paul Treble said the elderly occupant of the house had to leave her home to go into hospital.

The following day a relative who was picking up personal effects saw the outside alarm box was flashing. Apart from the damage caused by the break-in nothing had been taken.

Khan attempted a second burglary at a house in Henrietta Street, Deane, along with an accomplice in December.

On January 20, 2001, police found Khan slumped in a vehicle he had taken.

The court heard that Khan had a poor criminal record with offences of burglaries, dishonesty and driving offences, including driving while disqualified.