A MENTALLY ill burglar is back behind bars while a court decides his fate -- and how best to protect the public.

Burnley Crown Court heard how medics said prolific thief Dean Mortimer needed treatment, but a bed was not yet available for him at Calderstones Hospital, Whalley.

Judge Raymond Bennett, who may make a hospital order, remanded the defendant back to the hospital wing of Preston Prison until June 10. He said inquiries could be made in the meantime as to whether a bed would be available.

Mortimer, 31, of Ruskin Avenue, Colne, had earlier admitted burglary and been committed for sentence by the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Magistrates.

Consultant pyschiatrist Dr Anil Kumar, who had written a report on the defendant, said if Mortimer became a patient at Calderstones, he would be in a locked ward.

He said Mortimer did not need to be restricted because he was not causing any physical harm to anybody. The doctor said he did not regard burglary as being an event that caused serious harm to anybody.

Patrick Williamson, prosecuting, said Mortimer took a handbag and contents from the home of a woman in Spring Yard, Colne, to fund his drug habit.

He had 23 previous convictions for burglary and was in breach of a conditional discharge imposed for two counts of theft.

Elizabeth Brennan, defending, said at the time of the offence, Mortimer had been living with his parents and left the house to get his heroin fix for the day. He had a £10 a day addiction.