A TEENAGER who went on a car-stealing spree, helping himself to 21 vehicles, has been jailed for two years

Burnley Crown Court heard how Nicholas Shaw, 19, who had earlier been on probation but didn't like mixing with alcoholics and heroin addicts- even though he drank and used drugs himself- now wanted to work, instead of falling back into a life of crime.

Shaw of Ormerod Street, Accrington, admitted taking a vehicle without consent, failing to surrender and burglary. He asked for 20 offences of taking vehicles to be considered and had been committed for sentence by Hyndburn Magistrates.

Sentencing him, Mr Recorder A Hedworth. QC, said he had an appalling record. The judge added that soon somebody was going to lose patience with the defendant and decide the only thing that was going to help anybody at all was to lock him up for a very very long time.

Robert Crawford, prosecuting, said a nurse had her car stolen from from outside her home during the night and police later heard tyres screeching and spotted it being driven along Charter Street in Accrington.

Officers followed the vehicle. It disappeared up a back alley, was abandoned and two people ran to a nearby house. The defendant was arrested in a bunk bed at the property.

Shaw was bailed and then committed a burglary at Aspect World trade warehouse, on Richmond Street. Two laser printers and a photocopier were taken.

Kath Johnson, defending, said Shaw had been frank with the police.