A FATHER of 12 who had the keys to a unit where a haul of stolen machinery and car parts was found was today starting a nine month jail term.

Burnley Crown Court heard thousands of pounds worth of property -- including a £6,500 Audi which had been cut up -- were found locked inside the premises in Colne.

Christopher Peter Nolan, 37, whose 13th child is on the way, was brought to book after a Transit van was stolen last July and its tracker device led police to Green Mill.

Recorder Kevin Talbot said a system appeared to have been in operation at the mill and one way or another the defendant was involved in it.

The defendant, of Hallam Road, Nelson, had earlier admitted seven counts of handling stolen goods.

Mark Rhind, prosecuting, said police went to Green Mill 50 minutes after the van was stolen from Scotland Road, Nelson.

The defendant was close by in another vehicle.

Property taken from the van was found in the boot of the defendant's car and after Nolan was arrested and searched, a key to the industrial unit was found.

Inside the premises officers discovered a cement mixer and other industrial machinery and the remains of the Audi which had been cut up.

They also found the door of another stolen van and what was left of a Ford Escort van which was yellow although its original cololur was white.

Mr Rhind said the defendant lied to police about his connections with the unit, saying he had not been in it for 18 months.

Robert Crawford, defending, said Nolan had not been in trouble for 10 or 11 years and had enormous family responsibilities.

He had 12 children from three relationships and was now reunited with his wife.

Mr Crawford said the defendant had a poor record as a younger man but since he was 26, he had settled down and had been bringing up his family.

The barrister added Nolan was not a menace and society might be better served by allowing him to bring up his family and letting a jail place be taken up by somebody more deserving.