A MAN who broke into parked cars at a time when was homeless and desperate was given a chance by Blackburn magistrates.

The court heard Glen Wilson Bowers had been homeless for 12 months at the time of the offences in October.

And he told police he was under the influence of drugs and couldn't remember much about the offences.

Peter King, defending, said since then Bowers had got himself an address and was getting help from Maundy Relief and working on a voluntary basis with Inspire, the drink and drugs rehabilitation organisation.

Bowers, 39, of Church Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to vehicle interference and theft from a motor vehicle. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay compensation of £165 to one victim and £245 to the other.

The chairman of the magistrates said they were very pleased to hear Bowers had found accommodation and was working with Inspire to try and get his life back on track.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said both cars had been parked outside the owners' homes on Garden Street, Accrington.

Traces of blood were found inside each vehicle and these produced a DNA hit to Bowers.