A DRUG addict named as Burnley's biggest street nuisance could be banned by law from the town centre for at least two years, a court heard yesterday.

Ex-convict Adrian Wilkinson, 22, is said to wander around Burnley in a drug induced state, begging and stealing.

Town centre wardens observing him found he was involved in a catalogue of almost 60 incidents in six weeks.

Police are now seeking an anti-social behaviour order to be imposed on the convicted burglar, so shoppers and store staff can get some peace frrom his offending.

Phillip Potter, prosecuting, told Burnley magistrates: "He is a particular problem in Burnley. There are other people who cause similar problems, but, regrettably, he is the worse."

Mr Potter applied for the order as Wilkinson was brought up from the cells to make yet another court appearance yesterday.

The defendant, of Reed Street, Burnley, admitted theft on April 8 and was conditionally bailed until May 7 for a pre-sentence report.

The bench warned Wilkinson they were not ruling out jail, but were considering a drug treatment and testing order.

He was told to live at his home address and not to enter Burnley town centre as defined by the inner ring road.

Mr Potter told the court a Marks and Spencer store detective told Wilkinson to leave the store and asked CCTV operators to watch him.

Wilkinson went into nearby T J Hughes and the detective walked there and saw him rip off what appeared to be the price and security tag from a pair of trainers. When stopped, Wilkinson had a carrier bag containing a pair of black trainers and was wearing new white ones.

The defendant was arrested, admitted the theft and was bailed not to enter the inner ring road. He was arrested last Fridays in Greggs bakers in Burnley centre.

Mr Potter said Wilkinson was an habitual shoplifter, offended while on bail and had received custodial sentences. He had previous convictions for theft, public order and burglary.

He would go into Burnley town centre under the influence of drugs or take drugs in toilets. Wilkinson would then wander around begging, stealing and making a nuisance of himself.

Town centre wardens were asked to keep a log of Wilkinson's anti-social activities in public areas and between February 27 and April 8, they reported 56 incidents. Several complaints were received from members of the public.

The prosecutor added if an ASBO was made, it was intended Wilkinson would be banned from Burnley town centre, except to go to the Jobcentre or Brun House in relation to his benefits.

An order was necessary so other members of the community in Burnley would have "quiet enjoyment" in the town, said Mr Potter.

John Greenwood, defending, said he had represented people who had much worse records than him.

The solicitor continued: "It would be more beneficial to give him some help than take him off the streets for a short period of time."