A BURGLAR is back behind bars for two and a half years.

Father-of-two, Colin Raw, 34, was also ordered to serve the unexpired portion of his last jail term by Judge Raymond Bennett.

Burnley Crown Court heard how addict Raw, who fell victim to drugs in his teens, had 38 previous convictions. He had gone back to crime again after he had moved away but had returned to Burnley and started mixing with his old crowd again.

The defendant, of Holbeck Street, Burnley, had admitted two burglaries and one theft and had been committed for sentence by the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Magistrates.

Tim Storrie, defending, said Raw was a "practised burglar," had been convicted of this kind of offence 26 times and had committed crimes to feed his drug habit..

Raw was an 'intelligent and engaging man,' who had insight into his own problems and the consequences of his offending.

The defendant had no advantages as a youngster and his life had been difficult. He had grown away from his family, began to use drugs as a teenager and then embarked on his 'long and rich,' criminal record.

Mr Storrie said Raw, who described himself as a long term user of hard drugs, had spent all his adult years appearing before the courts.

He had moved away from Burnley, had been working in a hospital and had found himself gaining a self esteem and trust.

Raw then came back to Burnley to see his family, came across people he used to spend time with and 'opportunity was the mother of addiction.'

The barrister added the defendant was tired of prison and the cycle of offending. He had no problems keeping himself away from drugs while he was behind bars.

Mr Storrie urged the court to keep Raw a short term prisoner.