A HOUSE and pub raider was spared a jail sentence by a judge who admitted the public might think he had "taken leave of his senses."

Thomas Kelly, 28, said not to be an habitual burglar, had not been in trouble for four years and had shown he could lead an apparently law-abiding life, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Sentencing, Recorder Timothy Ryder said although the defendant deserved to go to jail and had preyed on the public from time to time in the past he was prepared to treat the offences as an isolated lapse into Kelly's previous criminal ways.

The defendant, of Brennand Street, Burnley, admitted burglary and asked for one offence to be considered. He had been committed for sentence by the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Magistrates.

Kelly was given an 18-month community rehabilitation order, to include the Dordrecht initiative.

Roger Baldwin, prosecuting, said property, including a stereo unit, compact discs, jewellery and cash, totalling £1,245 had been stolen from a house in Burnley.

A scenes of crimes officer found the defendant's blood where he had broken in through a rear window.