A PROLIFIC car thief is back behind bars after being caught by police in a stolen luxury car.

Adam Ashworth, 21 was jailed for six weeks by Burnley magistrates after driving off in a Jaguar X-Type worth £7,000 on April 19 in Burnley.

He admitted driving a conveyance, knowing it had been taken, and having no driving insurance and no driving licence.

Magistrates heard he had a number of passengers in the vehicle when it was pulled over by a Lancashire police patrol.

Ashworth, of Venice Avenue, Burnley, was also banned from driving for six months.

Another charge of stealing the Jaguar, which he had denied, was withdrawn by prosecutors.

Back in October 2010 Ashworth was jailed for two years, eight months at the town’s crown court after confessing to a string of break-ins, with cars among his chief targets, according to police.

He had raided homes in Harold Avenue and Manchester Road and when arrested, asked for 20 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Police have also used his mugshot on warning posters, as part of anti-burglary operations in the town.

Earlier in his criminal career he was also part of gang which caused losses of £15,000 Hargher Clough special school, stealing laptop computers and TVs and causing substantial damage while trying to get in.