A FORMER drug addict who went on a £4,000 crime spree has been put on a curfew order for six months.

Burnley Magistrates spared Nigel James Stead, 26, jail but ordered him to stay indoors between 9pm and 8am on Mondays and Tuesdays, and between 7pm and 7am the rest of the week.

Sentencing, the chairman of the bench told Stead, of Burnley Road East, Waterfoot, he would be virtually a prisoner in his own home, but that was better than being locked up in a cell.

The bench said they made their decision because Stead, who was now drug free, would come out with absolutely no support if he was sent to custody. He would then return to burgling and thieving.

The magistrate added the defendant was doing well on the Tower Project, which helped people to come off drugs. The defendant had admitted allegations of theft, burglary and attempted theft.

The court was told the total cost of Stead's offending, including the damage he had caused, was nearly £4,000.

He stole from cars and broke into Rossendale Models taking remote control cars worth more than £2,000. One £400 car had to be written off after he tried to steal it.

Janet Sime, defending, said Stead had now been off drugs for three weeks and had made every effort to find work.

The loss of the defendant's brother in a motorcycle accident had had a devastating effect upon him and he had been very upset and traumatised when his partner disappeared.