A YOUNG man responsible for a number of burglaries in Blackburn has been given a chance to prove himself.

Thomas Leigh was due to be sentenced when he appeared before Preston Crown Court for his crimes. Instead, Recorder Richard Brittain deferred the outcome for four months.

He told the 21-year-old there appeared to have been a "sea change" in his life. He added: "If you stay out of trouble you may have a sympathetic hearing on June 23."

Leigh, of Hardman Street, Blackburn, had pleaded guilty to two burglaries and asked for three more to be considered.

Miss Kate Blackwell, prosecuting, told how a woman living in Stansfield Street, Blackburn, woke one morning in March last year to discover her home had been burgled.

Various items, including ornaments, electrical goods, CDs and passports, had been taken, as well as a marriage certificate. Another burglary occurred some months later in Hancock Street. There a handbag, purse and £110 cash was taken.

The court was told that items were recovered from Leigh's home following his arrest. His other offences taken into consideration included a burglary at a mosque on Stansfield Street, from where a money box was taken.

Miss Sharon Watson, defending, said the burglaries had all been sneak-type, opportunist-type offences. There had been no ransacking, or other aggravating features. Leigh had made frank admissions to police.

Miss Watson said: "He wanted to make a clean breast of matters, to be honest with the police and tell them all his wrongdoing. He is showing signs of turning the corner. I ask the court to adopt the recommendation in a pre-sentence report for sentence to be deferred."

The judge was also told that Leigh had been successfully doing work under the Prince's Trust.

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