A NIGHT-time house raider also targeted a bandit machine at an Accrington working men’s club twice in a four-day crime spree, a court heard.

Matthew Gray, 35, woke victim John Connelly after smashing his kitchen window in the early hours with his elbow covered in a coat.

He had at first tried to force the door of the victim’s Accrington home, but had been unable to get in.

Mr Connelly, who went downstairs and shouted out, found glass all over the kitchen, and that property had been moved outside, Burnley Crown Court was told.

In the days before the break-in, Gray had smashed his way into the Poplar Social Club, in Wellington Street.

On the first occasion, he attacked the bandit machine and stole £1,000 cash.

Two days later he raided the premises again looking for money in the middle of the night.

Gray, a drug addict and alcoholic, needed funds for his habits.

He was caught after leaving blood at the crime scenes.

The defendant, of Nelson Street, Accrington, admitted two counts of burglary and asked for two offences to be considered.

All were committed between about July 16 and 20.

He was jailed for 20 months. The defendant had been committed for sentence by magistrates.

The hearing was told Gray, who also broke into a shed, had a record of 50 previous convictions, including burglary.

Philip Holden, defending, said Gray seemed to have been mostly out of trouble for the last few years.

There were times when he abused heroin and alcohol, and times when he had been abstinent.

He went on the “mini spree” when he had not been able to get his methadone, and had been given information about his liver condition.

He was awaiting medical intervention for the problem.