A MAN caught by police inside a house that was being renovated told them he had had a row with his wife and was just getting his head down.

Blackburn magistrates heard officers checked his story and his partner said when he left the house they were on good terms and he had kissed her goodbye.

Matthew Lee Dwyer, 36, of Holly Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to burglary and theft of lead.

He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £122 victim surcharge.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said a neighbour called police after hearing noises coming from the house on Railway Street, Nelson, at 8am.

When officers announced their arrival Dwyer came out from under the stairs.

He said he wasn't doing anything wrong and had just been looking for somewhere to sleep after having a row with his wife the night before.

"She said there had not been an argument and he had kissed her goodbye at 5am."

Nick Dearing, defending, said there had been a significant reduction in his client's offending in recent years and that coincided with his relationship with the lady the police had spoken to.

"He says he saw an insecure property as he was on his way to his dad's and temptation got the better of him," said Mr Dearing.