A DRUG addict said to have helped himself to property to the tune of more than £7,200 from his father escaped jail -- thanks to his dad.

Burnley Magistrates heard how victim Rex Lanceley, whose other son had also been pinching from him, had been helping Leslie Lanceley, 22, to try and kick his habit.

Mr Lanceley, who lost a £5,000 framed letter written by John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, in the haul, did not want to see the defendant go to jail as it would undo all the progress he was making.

Lanceley, still living with his parents at Merton Street, Nelson, was given 180 hours community punishment and must pay £500 compensation after admitting two counts of theft.

Chairman of the bench Mrs Carole Stinson said the offences were planned and Mr Lanceley senior had been a vulnerable victim, but she told the defendant: "You look remorseful to me. Some never look like that, but you do."

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said Rex Lanceley started to notice property, including tools and ornaments were going missing, but there was no evidence of a break-in. He suspected the defendant, who had a drug problem, but his other son was also responsible for taking some items from the complainant.

Mr Snape said Mr Lanceley senior found goods had been taken from his safe. Among the haul were watches, a Victorian locket worth £1,000 and the £5,000 letter written by John Wesley.

The court was told altogether property worth more than £7,200 was taken and Mr Lanceley was not insured.

John Rusius, defending, said the last thing Mr Lanceley wanted was to see his son go to jail. It was down to the defendant's honesty with the police that he was appearing in court. Lanceley was trying to recover some of the outstanding property he had taken, but may never be totally successful.

Mr Lanceley had spent a great deal of time for the benefit of his son and felt if the defendant was jailed they would lose everything that had gone into trying to rid Lanceley of his addiction. The defendant was now attending the community drugs team.