A PROLIFIC thief has been jailed for three months and banned from Burnley centre under a two-year anti-social behaviour order.

Andrew Purvis, 23, of Wren Street, Burnley, who had admitted pinching a radar from an unmarked police vehicle, offended within days of being given a community order, the town's magistrates heard.

Magistrates told him he had shown a flagrant disregard for previous sentences and the ASBO was needed to protect the community.

On his release from prison, Purvis is not allowed into Burnley town centre except to attend pre-arranged appointments at the Jobcentre, social security and medical and legal practices.

He must not go into any car park, is prohibited from going within two kilometres of Turf Moor on match days and is not to steal or attempt to steal from any car.

The defendant must not possess tools that may be used for vehicle-related crime and will not be allowed to get into any vehicle, except public transport or a car in the company of the lawful owner.

Purvis is also not to enter any shop, store or building to steal or attempt to steal.

Dylan Bradshaw, defending, said Purvis had had major surgery earlier this year for a brain disease and was likely to need another operation soon. He added: "The defendant has shown a complete inability to be offence-free for even a few days."