A CRIMINAL dubbed Burnley's public enemy number one by police has lost a fight to have an Anti-social Behaviour Order quashed after a judge slammed him as a "social parasite".

Ex-convict, drug addict and prolific thief Adrian Wilkinson, 23, has a long record for dishonesty and has been in trouble dozens of times - but his barrister told Burnley Crown Court the ASBO was not necessary to protect the public.

Wilkinson had earlier been made subject of the two year ASBO and given a 12 months drug treatment and testing order by the town's magistrates after stealing a pair of £25 pair of trainers from TJ Hughes in Burnley. Under the order he had been banned from town centre stores but later claimed it was unfair and there were worse offenders than him.

Yesterday Wilkinson, who has previously told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph he wants to kick drugs and crime and lead a normal life, had his appeal against the ASBO thrown out.

Recorder Howard Bentham, QC, told Wilkinson :"You are a social parasite."

The judge, sitting with two justices, continued:"You have been in trouble 33 times before and its little wonder the magistrates made the order to underline the fact you are a pest. They want to keep you out of Burnley and keep you out of trouble.

"There is no merit in this appeal and you are very lucky not to be in prison."

Wilkinson, of Reed Street, Burnley, had earlier pleaded guilty to theft. He was given the ASBO in May after the prosecution told the lower court police considered Wilkinson Burnley's worst street nuisance.

The court had heard claims the appellant would take heroin in public toilets and be seen in a drug induced state by members of the public. He was said to beg as well as steal from shops.

Alex Leach, representing Wilkinson yesterday, said the view of the lower court and the probation service was that if Wilkinson was successful on the drug treatment and testing order, he would stop offending.

"An ASBO is not necessary,' he added.