LEE Peter Holden stole property worth over £3,500 in a series of thefts from sheds and garages in Blackburn.

But his back garden burglaries earned Holden ten months in prison when he appeared before stipendiary magistrate Jonathon Finestein.

Holden, who had been bailed to a hostel in Carlisle, but was produced in custody from Durham prison, appeared for sentence for three burglaries and a theft and asked for nine other offences to be taken into consideration. He was also sentenced for a previous burglary for which sentence had been deferred.

Roger Pickles, defending, said his client knew he was going to prison. Mr Finestein said there was no option to an immediate prison sentence.

"On a number of occasions you have broken into other people's sheds and garages and the total amount of property stolen is in excess of £3,500," said Mr Finestein. "This is a lengthy sentence for this court but the public has to be protected."

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