A NIGHT-TIME raider who struck at two East Lancashire clubs has won his freedom to try and kick his drug habit.

Father-of-one Wayne Joseph Banham, 34, stole cash from Spring Terrace Workingmen's Club, Rawtenstall, and the town's Conservative Club a month apart.

The defendant, who was caught after leaving finger and footprints, struck to fund his £30 a day heroin habit, Burnley Magistrates were told.

Banham was given a 12 month drug treatment and testing order by the bench, who warned him he would be resentenced if he flouted it.

The defendant, of Parkinson Street, Haslingden, who has been in custody on remand, admitted two burglary charges, driving while disqualified and no insurance. He must pay £74 compensation and was banned from driving for six months.

Mercedah Jabbari, prosecuting, told the court the break-ins were committed when the defendant was on bail for driving while disqualified.

On February 17 the secretary of Spring Terrace WMC locked up about 11.30pm.

At just after 5am the next day, police received reports the alarm was ringing and found the back emergency door had been forced with a metal bar. About £40 cash had been taken from a fruit machine.

Miss Jabbari said in the early hours of March 21 the defendant climbed onto the flat roof of Rawtenstall Conservative Club, broke a number of tiles and disabled the alarm system by smashing the control panel.

He stole money before leaving again via the hole in the roof.

Police recovered footprints which when checked against Banham's trainers.

He was interviewed by officers, made full admissions in respect of the second raid and said he had to fund a £30 a day heroin habit.

The prosceutor added Banham had 64 previous convictions.

Bill Rawstron, defending, said the offences were amateurish and unsophisicated and Banham used brute force to get in the premises.