A RAIDER who went on an "orgy" of night-time house breaks in Padiham, has been jailed for three years.

Heroin addict Matthew Stubbs, 26, left a trail of distress behind him, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Judge Raymond Bennett said the only good thing that could be said about him was that he had owned up immediately to what he had done. Stubbs, of Berkeley Crescent, Padiham, had admitted three counts of burglary and asked for three offences to be considered.

Kendal Lindley, prosecuting, said Stubbs went on an orgy of night-time burglaries and raided homes within a short distance of each other in a short space of time.

The defendant removed glass from a house in Bridge Street and took personal items and cash to the tune of several hundred pounds.

At another property he helped himself to credit cards, watches and jewellery of sentimental value worth £1,400 and at a third house he took watches and a handbag worth £550 after removing the cat flap.

Susan Nielson, defending, said the offences were committed during two weeks of "utter madness" by Stubbs and he had caused a great deal of upset to house owners.

The defendant was glad when he was caught by the police because he was sick of the way his life had become a never ending treadmill of heroin addiction.

Stubbs accepted how disturbed his victims must have been and had written a letter to them which he hoped his solicitors may pass on.