A BURGLAR has been sent to jail for 16 months despite his barrister's plea for him to be put on a special probation initiative for "prolific" raiders.

John Kershaw's counsel, Robert Crawford, told Burnley Crown Court the defendant had a bad record and was an ideal candidate for the Dordrecht Scheme for prolific raiders.

But Judge Raymond Bennett said Kershaw had gone thieving while on bail and there was only one place for him to go - prison.

He added Kershaw had a "dreadful" record for burglary.

Kershaw, of Parkinson Street, Burnley, admitted two counts of burglary and one of theft.

The court heard the defendant, 32, broke into a bed and breakfast-cum-cafe in Burnley and took property worth £4,709. He also struck at the Oxford public house in Burnley, helping himself to goods worth £170. He told police he met two lads who asked him to get into the pub. He kicked the door in, but did not know what the other two had taken.

Kershaw also stole four jars of coffee, worth £26 from Sainsbury's, was chased and detained by a member of staff.

Mr Crawford, defending, said Kershaw had been in custody just short of three months. He had been addicted to heroin for about 14 years, but although his offending came thick and fast during his teenage years and early 20s, he had not been convicted of burglary since July 1996.

He had found himself without methadone, and had been forced back on to heroin.

Kershaw would be ideal for the Dordrecht Scheme. In recent years, he had made efforts to put burglary behind him and was keen and anxious to comply with the scheme.

Mr Crawford said Kershaw had served nine custodial sentences over seven years, but was capable of keeping out of trouble.

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