A YOUNG dad was today starting a three-month jail term after being caught with a screwdriver near a car.

Burnley magistrates heard how Albert William Carroll, 24, who has twice breached probation, had been addicted to drugs and drink, had hepatitis and had once been told by medics he would be lucky to live to 30.

He was caught near the car after a passer-by heard the alarm go off and contacted police.

Carroll, of Branch Road, Burnley, was convicted of going equipped for theft and breach of a probation order.

The court heard the defendant was put on probation for 18 months in March last year.

John Greenwood, defending, said since 1990 Carroll had appeared before the court regularly and received almost every type of sentence.

Since he was put on probation, he had not committed any offences until recently. Carroll had not been to prison since 1998.

Carroll now had a partner and young child and they stuck together, doing their best with the resources available to them.

He had been to the community drugs team and was receiving drugs counselling. The defendant was also due to see an alcohol counsellor.

Mr Greenwood added the defendant had been doing part-time painting and decorating and hoped to do full time work.

Drug misuse had led to Carroll contracting hepatitis, his liver was in an awful condition and, at one stage, he had been told he would be lucky to see 30.

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