Burnley serial burglar back in prison (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Burnley serial burglar back in prison

12:00pm Tuesday 18th September 2012 in News By Wendy Barlow, Court reporter

A ‘PROLIFIC crook’ is back behind bars after ending a crime spree by trying to smash his way into a house.

Mark Hollins, 35, had stolen from several cars before he broke one half of the patio door of a property on Chestnut Drive, a quiet road on the outskirts of Burnley, around lunchtime.

Hollins, who was caught after a neighbour alerted the police, had taken a cocktail of street-bought valium and strong lager.

Hollins was locked up for two years by a judge who said he would ‘pinch anything’, was a danger to people’s property and left his victims in fear. The defendant, of Accrington Road, Burnley, admitted attempted burglary in June.

David Macro, prosecuting, said the neighbour was letting her dog out when it barked and she saw Hollins in the victim's secure back garden, in front of the patio doors, with a rucksack.

She called police. The neighbour heard a loud bang and then shouting as the police arrived.

The defendant resisted arrest and was parva sprayed. He appeared to be under the influence of drugs and had two bags with him, containing property.

Hollins had been given eight weeks in prison by magistrates for the spree of five thefts from vehicle and one offence of vehicle interference.

Mr Macro said when questioned, Hollins denied the allegation and in a prepared statement, claimed he had fallen into the patio door by accident. He said he was on valium and drink.

Judge Beverley Lunt told Hollins he had an ‘astonishingly bad record’. She said: “Everybody has tried to help you get away from crime. The only person who hasn't tried to help you is you.

“The only way to safeguard the public is to keep you off the streets and longer and longer sentences are inevitable.”