A PROLIFIC thief caught red-handed stripping lead from the roofs of two businesses – once on camera – was trying to fund his £10,000-a-year heroin habit, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told jobless Ian John Berry, 38, was seen both times by workmen and was arrested after they alerted the police.

Berry, who left his Colne victims with bills of about £600, had a long record of thefts committed to buy his drugs.

He was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months with a drugs programme. He must pay £100 compensation to his victims, which the bench chairman said seemed an insult, but added it would also be an insult not to give them something.

The chairman said “You are an habitual thief with over 20 convictions for stealing.”

Berry, of New Market Street, Colne, admitted two counts of theft, on August 19 and September 7.

Prosecutor Andrew Robinson said a man working at Primet Business Park saw a ladder propped up against a furniture premises and someone on the roof stealing lead.

Berry was arrested and owned up, but wasn’t on bail for that offence when he struck again. A witness was working on a Sunday when he noticed a man on the roof opposite. Mr Robinson said: “He took some photos of lead being taken from a corrugated roof. Police arrived and detained the defendant on the roof.”

Mark Williams, defending, said Berry carried out a spate of offences, got a suspended sentence and later went into custody. He served the sentence, came out, was out of trouble for the best part of a year and then committed three offences, including the latest two.

Mr Williams said: “He managed to remain drug-fee and kept himself out of trouble but he has been using heroin again – £30 a day – and that can’t be paid for with benefits.”