A THIEF dubbed a 'one man crimewave' in Rossendale came out of retirement when his wife threw him out, Burnley magistrates heard.

Wayne Banham, 29, who raided two Valley churches, one of them three times, also struck at the Rawtenstall Masonic Hall and two businesses in the town.

He was committed for sentence to Burnley Crown Court and remanded in custody. Banham was told by magistrates he was a one man crimewave in the Rossendale Valley.

Banham, of Foxhill Drive, Whitewell Bottom, admitted five burglaries as well as stealing a Ford Escort and asked for seven other offences to be considered.

Christiana Buchanan, prosecuting, said Banham usually broke into his targets at night, taking cash and electrical goods. He got into St Mary's Church, Rawtenstall, on three separate occasions, helping himself to cash, a compact disc player and video recorders. The defendant also made his way into Mannings Bakery, taking meat and other goods worth more than £700, as well as Longholme Methodist Church and Ray's Plaice, Rawtenstall. Banham also stole from his sister-in-law, taking a video, stereo and vacuum cleaner. No property was recovered. Philip Whittaker, defending, said Banham had not committed an offence of dishonesty for six years but "came out of retirement" about two months ago, when his wife threw him out.

He had kept on the "straight and narrow," when he settled down and had children but had recently been sleeping wherever he could.

Banham had let himself go, turned up late for work looking dishevelled and now had no employment.

Mr Whittaker went on: "In a very short period of time the defendant has lost everything, his home, his job and contact with his children. He was unable to claim benefits because he had no address."

He added Banham's was a sad story. All offences were committed for the same motive. When police caught up with Banham, it was a relief to him, as he now had shelter and proper food.

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