A CRIMINAL dubbed Burnley's worst street nuisance by police was back behind bars today - after a court heard nobody knew what to do with him.

Burnley Crown Court was told Adrian Wilkinson, 23, raided his mother's home while she was on holiday as well as breaking into a function room at Burnley's Turf Moor ground.

Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt told him it was sad that none of the authorities who had given care for him in the past could offer an alternative to custody.

Wilkinson, of Hinton Street, Burnley, admitted forgery, deception and two counts of burglary. He was jailed for 15 months.

Tim Ashmole, prosecuting, said the defendant's mother Margaret had gone on holiday and his brother had been told not to let Wilkinson in.

But the defendant got in through a bathroom window and stole aftershave and a mobile phone. His fingerprints were found on the window.

Wilkinson also struck at Turf Moor, taking cigarettes from a function room. He was tracked down after his fingerprints were found at the scenes.

And in interviews with police he made no comment, the court heard. Wilkinson, who had 34 previous convictions, had recently been given a drug treatment and testing order.

Elizabeth Nicholls, defending, said Wilkinson had been in custody for four months.

It was perhaps a tragedy that at the age of 23, both the probation and legal services had effectively given up on him. The only option available was prison.

The defendant, who offended to fund a drug habit, had gone to his mother's home to collect washing.

Miss Nicholls said Wilkinson was now free from drugs.

He showed a degree of insight and was going to use the time spent in custody to good effect. He hoped to get work in jail, Miss Nicholls added.

The barrister continued: "The defendant hopes when he is released he will be able to resist the temptation of getting involved in drugs.

"He is not unintelligent, he is articulate. There is hope he will be able to put his drug use and offending behind him."