A PERSISTENT thief was warned he could be jailed for five years if he is spotted riding anyone else's bicycle.

Burnley magistrates imposed a second anti-social behaviour order on Robert Tunesi, 32, after hearing that he stole bikes and would then use them to commit further offences Under the order, Tunesi is not allowed to associate with Oliver Hefford and Scott Dumigan and must not be in control or possession of any pedal cycle, motorbike, scooter, or mini-moto which does not belong to him.

He is also banned from entering any back yard, garage, shed or outhouse or from trying to gain access and from having any tools which could be used in stealing from cars.

Tunesi is also prohibited from behaving in any way which would cause harassment, alarm or distress.

If he flouts any conditions of the ASBO he could be sent to custody for up to five years.

The defendant, a prolific offender, who committed a further offence while subject to a suspended 60 day prison sentence, was jailed for 120 days but will be subject to the new order, which runs until May 2010, on his release. Tunesi, of Colbran Street, Burnley, admitted attempted burglary and handling stolen goods.

The bench activated the 60-day sentence, imposed in February, and gave him an additional 60 days.

Wendy Chappell, prosecuting, said a householder's son was watching television in his bedroom on Lambeth Street, Brierfield, at 2am on April 11, when he heard noises from outside, looked out and saw the defendant pulling at the roof off an outhouse.

He went downstairs and told his father and as he and his father went outside, Tunesi and another man made off.

The victim knew the defendant as he had lived in the area and had encountered him in the past.

The defendant was arrested on April 25 and questioned.

He denied committing the offence and said he had not been to Brierfield for a month.

Mrs Chappell said on April 22, police saw Tunesi riding a bike in Cliviger.

It was taken from him and was later found to have been stolen.

The victim went to the police station and confirmed the £450 bike was his.

The prosecutor said Tunesi, who had 25 previous convictions, had committed the attempted burglary before the suspended jail term and the handling stolen goods while subject to it.