A PROLIFIC burglar who raided dozens of homes has been sentenced to more than three years behind bars.

Terence Graham, 18, struck while many of his victims were at home, netting property to the tune of several thousand pounds, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Graham, of Tennyson Road, Colne, was sent to detention for three years, and must first serve the unexpired portion of a previous sentence.

He admitted six burglaries, asked for at least ten to be considered and had 22 previous convictions for burglary or attempted burglary.

Sentencing Graham, Judge Raymond Bennett said it was very difficult, looking across the court at him, to imagine him doing all the things he had confessed to. He was a prolific burglar.

Neil Fryman, prosecuting, said an elderly woman was very frightened and upset to find Graham under her bed in the early hours.

The defendant was in custody for three days and then took police around the locality, saying: "I can't believe I have done about 30 jobs in the two months since I have been out."

Graham burgled a mother's home as she and her children slept, making off with £1,181worth of property and "unnerving" the woman.

At a house in Colne, he helped himself to property worth £2,150, as the security guard owner was at work.

Martin Hackett, defending, said Graham realised what he was doing was wrong. His mother was very concerned about him and the defendant knew he would be going to detention. He had admitted what he had done.

The defendant had been addicted to cannabis for a considerable period of time and burgled to get cash for drugs.

He recognised he needed help to try and stay off cannabis.

Since being remanded in custody, the defendant had taken part in educational workshops.

He had improved his writing and English. Mr Hackett went on: "He is now clearing the decks.

"He is only 18 and I ask the court to show some mercy with regard to the totality of sentence."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.