A BURGLAR who raided five properties had fallen back into criminal ways after failing to take his medication, a court heard.

Defence counsel Mark Stephenson said Richard Croskell had not committed any offences for two years.

But Croskell, who takes anti-psychosis pills, had not been following the recommended course and had also not been taking his methadone prescription.

Croskell, 33, of Heap Street, Burnley, had pleaded guilty to four burglaries and one charge of attempted burglary.

He has a previous burglary conviction after he broke into a Burnley funeral home and trampled on flowers which had been left for a service.

Mr Stephenson said: “He is on at least two anti-psychotic medications. When he is not on his medication he suffers with psychological conditions where he hears voices and sees things.”

Judge Sara Dodd adjourned the case for a probation service update and enquiries to be made by defence lawyers about his mental health problems.

Croskell was remanded in custody until February 3.