A judge told a prolific burglar the courts are “sick of you” after committing yet another offence.

Steven Hargreaves, 42, appeared at Preston Crown Court for one offence of burglary committed at the B&M store in Burnley last month.

In the early hours of November 8, at around 3.45am, Hargreaves forced entry to the store and stole smart watches up to the value of £105.

His defence barrister, Holly Nelson, said he was in the “throws of addiction” at the time of the offence and though he did not intend to cause the significant damage during the break-in, he “must of course accept it was caused.”

Ms Nelson said Hargreaves was apprehended by a police dog close to the store having failed to stop when he was warned the dog would be released.

The dog caused significant injuries to his arm and he required hospital treatment.

All the items were returned to the store.

Ms Nelson added: “He is capable of being law-abiding. He has long-standing addiction issues which pull him back to the only thing he knows how to do well.

“He knows this lifestyle is no longer sustainable. He is not proud of it nor does he wish to continue it.”

Sentencing, Judge Guy Mathieson said: “Here we are again. I suspect everything said on your behalf has been said many times before.

“The courts are sick of you. Your antecedence record makes for hopeless reading.

“If you are as serious as you say you are [no longer offending] the motivation has to come from you.”

Judge Mathieson sentenced Hargreaves, of Anne Close, Burnley, to eight months in prison.