A TEENAGER has been jailed for a year after the area's top judge said he must have "the worst record in England," for somebody his age.

Prolific offender Stephen Rawcliffe, 18, who has almost 70 criminal convictions, had twice raided Pettys estate agents, Albert Road, Colne.

The long-time amphetamine addict had neutralised the burglar alarm, forced open a key cabinet and helped himself to almost £500 cash from a safe. He left a sock, used to avoid leaving finger prints on the floor, and was caught out through DNA instead, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The defendant was bailed and two months later went into the premises again, this time through a skylight. He was arrested in the act after a neighbour heard noises, and alerted police.

Sentencing, Judge Peter Openshaw, QC, told the defendant he had been urged to give him a chance to go into residential rehabilitation. The judge said in truth he would not be taking a risk with the defendant but with the public.

He added Rawcliffe would relapse into crime sooner rather than later and it was his public duty to take him out of circulation.

Rawcliffe, of Beaufort Street, Nelson, admitted two counts of burglary, failing to surrender and asked for six offences to be considered.

David Morton, prosecuting, told the court the first burglary at Pettys, on August 18, left it ransacked.

He was arrested, bailed and struck again two months later on October 28. Nothing was stolen the second time. Elizabeth Brennan, defending, said Rawcliffe used the stolen money to fund his habit.

The majority of his previous convictions were for commercial burglaries.

Miss Brennan continued: "To say he has had an unstable upbringing would be something of an understatement. The defendant has considerable learning difficulties. He is vulnerable, has difficulty coping with life in the community and has become institutionalised."