Burglar's nine years out of 27 locked away

Drug addict Wayne Oxley, 27, had spent nine years of his life locked up and each time he had been released, he would go back to heroin and end up back in prison, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Judge Reginald Lockett said addiction to heroin could be no excuse for what he had done. He told Oxley, who has 15 previous convictions for house burglary, victims were "upset no end" and took a long time to get over it. Oxley, of Cameron Street, Burnley, admitted burglary and was committed for sentence by magistrates after being convicted of theft and burglary. He asked for two offences to be considered.

Sue Riley, prosecuting, said a victim returned home in the early hours after a night out and found her home in Barden Lane, Burnley, had been broken into.

Police on patrol spotted Oxley walking slowly and he turned and ran off when he saw the police vehicle.

When officers caught up with him, they found him out of breath, "backtracked" and found a television against a wall. A portable TV was also discovered in the area. While on bail, Oxley helped himself to the WRVS cash box, containing £85 takings, from the tea room at Burnley magistrates court.

He told police he knew he would be captured on CCTV, but was desperate for cash for drugs.

Oxley was linked to another burglary when he left blood and was traced through DNA.

Michael Lavery, defending, said Oxley had made attempts to get away from heroin and his associates when he was released from custody, but had been at a bail hostel not far away from Burnley. He had fallen to his addiction again.

Oxley had had a very difficult life and had spent so many years in custody he had become thoroughly institutionalised.

Since 1990, every sentence had passed on Oxley had been custody and he had gone back to drugs on his release. Oxley had pleaded guilty to the offences and volunteered two charges to police.

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