A PROLIFIC night-time thief has become the first adult in Burnley to be made subject of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

Burnley magistrates were told ex-convict and drug addict Roy White, 30, is said by police to be responsible for much of the car crime in the area where he lives.

Statistics have shown night-time vehicle crimes were unheard of when he was behind bars and the defendant himself has admitted to police he commits more crime than they ever catch him for.

Jobless White, a father-of-four, who claims he has now seen the error of his ways, has been banned by Burnley magistrates from going outdoors between 11pm and 7am for the next two years.

He was also prohibited from having a screwdriver or an implement to be used for theft in a public place at any time.

The bench said the order was necessary to protect people's property and to put a stop to White's offending.

The defendant, of Thames Avenue, Burnley, was also given a 12-month community rehabilitation order.

He admitted theft and motoring allegations and has previous convictions for robbery -- for which he served four years -- fraud, burglary and handling stolen goods as well as theft from cars.

Elizabeth Reed, prosecuting said when the defendant was being returned to his cell on one occasion, he told a police officer: "I am going to rag Burnley rotten when I get bail tomorrow."

White's activities had been monitored by police as a target criminal, the court was told. He committed a disproportionate amount of car crime and the theft offence before the court was the tip of the iceberg.

Officers had analysed vehicle crime statistics in the area where White lived.

The defendant, who breaks into victims' cars using a screwdriver, openly admitted he was not prepared to commit crime in the daylight, when he might be caught out by witnesses or CCTV.

Mrs Reed said between October 1 and November 14 last year, 12 cars were broken into and six interfered with overnight in the area near Thames Avenue.

While the defendant was in custody for two weeks in November there was no overnight vehicle crime, but when he was released, 16 cars were broken into at night and four tampered with.

On February 5, White handed himself into police saying he couldn't stay in at night, as he had to fund his drug habit. He wanted to go into custody and was locked up.

The prosecutor said White knew of the distress he was causing to his victims but his need to fund his addiction outweighed any misgivings.

John Rusius, defending, said ASBOs were to be made only with care. He said White now expressed remorse for his behaviour, was drug free and was showing a maturing attitude.