A HOUSEBREAKER and ram raider who now wanted to be a 'good dad' has been jailed for four years.

Illiterate James Francis 0'Neill, 33, who had been hooked on heroin for 18 years, was responsible for a 'catalogue' of burglaries at houses, schools, nursing homes and works premises.

But, Burnley Crown Court was told, the father of a two-year-old daughter didn't want her to see him looking like death -- and didn't want her to be teased about her dad in the playground.

O'Neill was sent to prison by Recorder Robert Pratt, who told him he had to send out a clear message that house burglaries would not be tolerated as they caused misery to victims.

O'Neill, of Thorn Drive, Bacup, admitted theft, four counts of burglary, two counts of failing to surrender and asked for nine burglaries to be considered. He had been committed for sentence by the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Magistrates.

Sue Riley, prosecuting, said O'Neill struck at the sheltered accommodation home in Whitworth of a 72-year-old and at New Line in Bacup, where he took property to the tune of over £1,500 and helped himself to cash from a Whitworth schoolteacher's handbag.

He 'ram raided' Ashworth Saw Mills in Waterfoot and took a safe and invoice book. He reversed at speed, causing the gates to open, drove into a door causing it to come off its hinges and then forced open an internal door.

O'Neill told police he bought the vehicle for £20 intending to use it as a battering ram. He also broke into Kay Steels, Rawtenstall, planning to steal and told officers he was looking for anything he could sell to finance his drug habit.