A TEENAGE housebreaker who struck for the sixth time is behind bars for two years and five months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Lee Smith, 18, raided a neighbouring property through the roof space and admitted taking part of a £1,400 haul and selling it for drugs cash.

Smith was sent to a Young Offenders' Institution by Recorder Timothy Ryder.

Smith, of Burdett Street, Burnley, had admitted burglary and had been committed for sentence by the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Magistrates.

Louise Waites, prosecuting, said the defendant had 59 previous convictions for dishonesty, including five for house burglary.

Anthony Cross, defending, said the first offence which triggered the three-year mandatory sentence was committed by Smith 11 days after his 18th birthday.

The defendant had pleaded guilty before the magistrates.