A REPEAT burglar with a 'terrible' record who raided two homes and stole from a third has been jailed for over five years.

A court heard that Kevin Booth had spent 10 out of the last 12 years in custody and felt that he could not cope with life outside prison walls.

A judge who handed down the sentence at Preston Crown Court told him: "The public are entitled to protection against you and your offending. The time has come to pass a substantial sentence upon you."

Booth, 27, of Cleveleys Road, Blackburn, had pleaded guilty to two charges of burglary and one of theft.

Dennis Watson, prosecuting, said on November 3 last year the defendant struck at a home in Laxey Road.

A video, PlayStation and other property, including a diamond and sapphire necklace, were taken. The haul came to nearly £900.

Then on November 19 Booth stole more than £200 cash from a woman's home on Flimby Close.

Finally, he burgled an address on Audley Range while a couple were in bed. A video was stolen, but footprints had been left on the sink, near to the point of entry.

Ian Dacre, defending, said Booth had a terrible record. He felt unable to cope outside prison.

Upon release he usually started fine, then fell into a similar pattern and feeling anxiety and not being able to cope.