A DRUG user who kept a stolen life-size sheep model in his living room did not try and pull the wool over police's eyes when they turned up at his home.

Burnley Magistrates heard how dad-to-be Terence Graham, 26, owned up to knowing the resin sheep had been pinched as he had read an article about it in the local newspaper.

Graham, who also committed an early hours "smash and grab" at an electrical shop and made off with goods to the tune of almost £2,000, was spared jail.

The defendant, who smashed the window at the premises with a hammer, had left blood at the scene and had been arrested.

Graham, of Walton Street, Colne, admitted burglary and asked for an offence of theft to be considered.

The bench, who said he had an "horrendous record," warned him to pull himself together.

The defendant was given a community order with 18 months supervision and the addressing substance related offending programme to help him tackle his drug and alcohol abuse.

Sue Campbell, prosecuting, told the court Graham broke into Roy Jowett Ltd on Albert Road. One of the front windows was smashed and the grill from inside had been pulled out.

The defendant had taken a haul, including flat screen televisions, camcorders and digital cameras, worth £1,758.

He was arrested after blood was found at the scene, made admissions and was remorseful. He told police he was getting kicked out of his home and needed money for a bond. Graham said he smashed a large display unit and cut himself on glass. The defendant told officers he planned to sell the haul of goods to raise money for the bond.

Mrs Campbell said the sheep, taken from Trawden Furniture at Colne was recovered from Graham's living room. He said he had bought it off a man and then read the newspaper article about it being stolen.

John Rusius, defending, said problems in Graham's early years had led him into a life of crime and drug abuse. There had been considerable improvements lately, he was off hard drugs now and only took cannabis now and again.

Mr Rusius told the court Graham bought the sheep in good faith and used it as an ornament. He did not know it was stolen until he read the newspaper article.

The solicitor added: "He should have returned it and its theft by omission instead of action."