A RAIDER and thief was given a chance to prove he can clean up his act after magistrates spared him jail.

The Burnley bench was told "immature" Christopher Little, 20, was now a changed man after a spell behind bars and did not want a repeat.

He had been rumbled by his fingerprints.

Little, of Newmarket Street, Colne, admitted burglary, theft, and handling stolen goods.

He was sentenced to four months in jail, suspended for a year, 12 months supervision, 100 hours unpaid work, and a 90-day curfew between 7pm and 7am every day.

Sentencing, the bench told Little if he breached the order he would be going to prison - with only himself to blame.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, told the court Little stole a compact disc player from a disabled woman's car.

He told police he had no recollection and might have done it while drunk. Fingerprints were found on the steering barrel.

Little also broke into a pavilion in Barrowford, stealing sweets worth £60, and causing £200 damage. Again, he was traced though his fingerprints.

Mr Robinson said four computers, worth £3,200, were stolen from the East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, at the Holden Centre, Gisburn Road, Barrowford. Police went to an address he had access to and found the entire haul.

David Leach, defending, said Little accepted in the past his co-operation with the probation service had been nothing short of terrible, but he was now a very, very changed man. He had spent 10 days in custody and it had had a very profound effect on him.

Mr Leach said although Little was 20, he lacked maturity and was more akin to someone in their teens. He lacked ability in basic reading and writing skills, and was very easily led and manipulated.

Alcohol played a significant part in the offences.