A HOUSE-breaker who struck again while on prison licence is back behind bars - this time for more than three years.

Burnley Crown Court heard how drug addict Shane Johnson, 32, now wanted to kick his addiction and crime and set more of an example to his 12-year-old son.

The defendant, who raided a Barrowford family's home while they were away on holiday, was told by a judge he had an "unenviable record" for burglaries of all kinds.

Johnson, of Herbert Street, Burnley, admitted burglary. He must also serve the unexpired portion of his previous sentence.

Guy Mathieson, prosecuting, told the court the victims returned to their home on Gisburn Road on August 15 to find it had been broken into.

A window had been smashed and property worth £2,000, including £1,000 of jewellery, had been taken.

The householder found blood on a cushion and kept it for the police to examine. Mouth swabs taken from the defendant provided overwhelming support that Johnson was the culprit.

Mr Mathieson said Johnson had previous convictions for both burglary and theft and since December 1994 had been sent to custody for every offence.

David Oultram, defending, said Johnson knew he would be going to prison. He had had a drug problem for many years and when he was released from behind bars he would go back to his old associates. The barrister said:"He hasn't got the mechanism to cope with life outside without falling back on his addiction."