A MAN seen breaking into cars in the early hours of the morning was arrested after a police search which also recovered a bag containing a screwdriver.

And after he had been sentenced to 16 weeks in prison Mark Walker Donaldson cheekily asked the magistrates if he would get his screwdriver back.

"We make an order for the forfeiture and destruction of the screwdriver," the chairman of the bench replied.

Donaldson, 32, of Parkinson Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to theft from a motor vehicle, going equipped for theft and two charges of vehicle interference . He was jailed for 16 weeks and ordered to pay £250 compensation and £128 victim surcharge after the magistrates were told he was subject to post sentence supervision.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said a witness called police at 1.40 am after seeing a male in dark clothing smash the passenger window of a Vauxhall Zafira. Police carried out an initial search but didn't find the defendant. They did fins another damaged car. When Donaldson was arrested nearby, with a cut to his hand, he admitted he was responsible. A bag was also found containing the screwdriver.

She said one of the victims used her car to get to work and visit her grandparents and the damage to her vehicle had caused great inconvenience. Another said it had cost £180 to have his car repaired.

Mark Williams, defending, said the address Donaldson gave to the court was no more than a mailing address and he was effectively homeless.

"He was on the streets carrying his worldly goods with him and he was looking to get some cash or something he could sell," said Mr Williams. "He knows there is no real alternative and expects the court to impose a custodial sentence today."