A GARAGE raider whose best friend died in his arms last Friday has kept his freedom so he can now go and pay his last respects.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Stephen James Lumb, 46, was still in shock. His solicitor told the court how he desperately wanted to go to the funeral but would not be able to if he was jailed.

Lumb, of Unsworth Street, Stacksteads, admitted burglary on June 11. He was given 18 months community rehabilitation by the bench who warned him it was his last chance.

He was told: "Make use of it and hopefully change." The defendant must also pay £75 costs.

Mercedah Jabbari, prosecuting, told the court that Lumb went into a garage at the home of a retired teacher in Whitworth. He was spotted walking off with tools by the victim, who took Lumb's arm in order to detain him.

A friend of the victim saw him struggling with Lumb, went to help and the defendant tried to hit the witness with a bag and to bite him. The defendant was held until police arrived and he told officers he had been "out of it," after taking heroin and a lot of strong lager.

Miss Jabbari said Lumb told officers he could not remember getting from Stacksteads to Whitworth or going into the garage.

Janet Sime, defending, said Lumb apologised. He knew he was no angel and had an extensive record dating back to when he was 13.

The offence was not premeditated. The defendant had been struggling and living with a heroin habit and trying to move away from crime. That was not easy for someone who had been offending since he was 13.

Miss Sime said Lumb had been leaning on alcohol. The work the probation service had done with him was now paying off and Lumb wanted a settled lifestyle and to move away from drugs use. He was now on methadone.

He felt that although custody did not concern him at all, he did not want to go there because of the funeral.

Miss Sime added Lumb was in shock, did not seem himself, and desperately wanted to be able to go to the service.