A BURGLAR who claimed he was a Christian was reminded by a judge of the commandment: "Thou shalt not steal."

Terence Swallow, 25, who crept into a vestry and took a lady's handbag during a church service, was sent to prison for 12 months.

Judge Raymond Bennett, who told Swallow he was a nuisance, said he should think of "Thou shalt not steal", hopefully learn and remember it.

Swallow, of Glen Street, Colne, admitted three counts of burglary and asked for seven offences to be considered.

Sue Riley, prosecuting, said the defendant stole £90 worth of tools from a shed on Glen Street, and electrical equipment from another shed.

He also went into the vestry at Holy Trinity Church, Colne, where a pensioner had left her bag and took it and its contents, together worth £43.

Mark Stuart, defending, said custody must follow. Although he would not be sentenced on his record, the defendant could not draw any comfort from his past.

The offence in the vestry was "opportunistic". Swallow had been very short of money, was trying to survive on £32.50 a week and his mother was ill.

Mr Stuart said the defendant had kept out of trouble for eight months, which for Swallow was quite good. He had started to involve himself in the local community in a better way.

He added Swallow hoped to go to a community project in Dorset while in custody and hopefully the time he would stay out of trouble on his release would be even longer than eight months.

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