A BURGLAR who helped himself to an old lady's cherished jewellery was in the grip of a cocaine and heroin addiction costing him almost £1,000 a week.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Jason Davies, 27, who struck another 17 times, was so sick of his lifestyle, he went and spoke to a police officer when he was not suspected of any crimes, owned up and told him he wanted help.

Davies was sent to prison for two years by Assistant Recorder David Hernandez, who told him the sentence was significantly shorter than he first thought to give him.

He said the defendant had been before the courts 37 times before and committed a catalogue of offences. Davies, of Queen Street, Nelson, admitted three counts of burglary, taking a motor vehicle without consent and asked for 15 offences -- either burglaries or attempt burglaries -- to be considered. William Staunton, prosecuting, said the 83-year-old victim, who lived in Fence, returned after a couple of nights away to find her bungalow had been broken into and jewellery, with great sentimental value and worth almost £2,000, had been taken.

Davies also raided the home of four women in Colne, taking cash and a mobile phone, and went into a family's home as they slept.

Mr Staunton said the defendant claimed his addiction was costing about £140 a day and he went on to apologise for what he had done and the "grief he had caused."

Kevin Donnelly, defending, said the words prolific burglar were often used in courts, but nobody better fitted the description than Jason Davies.

Davies first appeared before a court for burglary when he was 11, had lived a criminal lifestyle since then and it was for this reason and not because there was any evidence against him, he decided to co-operate with the police.

The defendant had been drug-free since he was in custody and hoped to stay that way on his release.