A BURGLAR who helped ransack an East Lancashire pub after hours but was caught on CCTV has been jailed for 12 months.

David Ainsworth, 32, who has more than 110 offences on his criminal record, wanted to turn over a new leaf so he could see more of his two young children, Burnley Crown Court heard.

But Judge Andrew Woolman said Ainsworth had ‘an appalling record for dishonesty, particularly for offences of burglary’.

The judge said he could see no evidence of Ainsworth changing his ways and refused to impose a suspended sentence.

He had been told that in the early hours of August 10, the manageress of The Bridge pub in Accrington had locked up the premises after drinkers left.

However when she returned at 9pm for the next night’s trade, she noticed a number of things were out of place.

Expensive DJ equipment had been taken and she discovered the door to her office had been forced and takings totalling £2,000 had been stolen.

CCTV covering the pub was reviewed and a barman was seen drinking with two customers.

Later footage showed one of those customers returning to the pub with Ainsworth.

The court heard that after pub bosses made enquiries, the DJ equipment was eventually returned, but the missing cash was never recovered.

Ainsworth, of Gannow Lane, Burnley, admitted burglary. His alleged accomplice was not before the court.

Daniel Prowse, defending, said that there had been no planning, on behalf, of his client, but he had been recruited to help carry out the burglary.

Unlike previously, Ainsworth had begun to take more interest in the welfare of his two young children, aged two and five, and had made enquiries with social services about gaining access, he added.