A WOULD-be burglar will spend his sixth Christmas behind bars.

Mark Wilson, 22, who was spotted by a neighbour trying to get into a house with a garden spade and a broom handle, had spent every festive season since 1993 in custody and was institutionalised, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Wilson, who had 34 previous convictions, was sent to prison for 21 months, after admitting attempted burglary and being committed for sentence by Hyndburn magistrates.

Sentencing the defendant, of Lonsdale Street, Accrington, Judge Raymond Bennett said he had owned up almost immediately - although not to the person who caught him in the act.

Nick Simmonds, prosecuting, said the householder went out and at about 3.50pm, a neighbour saw Wilson in the back yard trying to force a window, using a garden spade and broom handle. He shouted to the defendant, asking what he was doing and Wilson said he lived there and had lost his keys.

When the neighbour pointed out Wilson did not live there, he ran off, chased by the man.

He was arrested the following day and said he had a £40-£50 a day drug addiction.

Michael Lavery, defending, said Wilson had spent every Christmas since 1993 in custody.

Every time he was in court he expected a custodial sentence and each time it got longer and longer.

He had become institutionalised at an early age and while sending him away protected the public, it didn't help him at all.

He would come out, have anxiety attacks, get involved with amphetamine, feed his habit, offend again and go back to custody.

Wilson appeared genuinely disappointed in himself and was showing signs of growing maturity and motivation, due to the relationship he formed last time he was at liberty.

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