A SHOP burglar had already received 'summary justice,' courtesy of a relentless police dog, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Mark Wilkinson, 21, was cornered by the animal when he would not come out of a shed and was bitten trying to fend it off. His barrister, who said Wilkinson was sore for "quite a while" afterwards, told the hearing: "He should have come out when the dog arrived, but he did not."

Wilkinson, who had been drinking when he offended and did not attend an attendance appointment, was sent to prison for 15 months. Sentencing him, Assistant Recorder Theresa Pepper told him he did not help himself. "You drink too much. If you spent less money on drink and more on keeping appointments, you might have a little more help."

Wilkinson, of Bedford Place, Padiham, admitted two burglaries.

The court was told Wilkinson was seen throwing a brick through the window of Ace of Hearts on Colne Road, reach in and grab property and run off. He was found by the police dog and asked officers: "What are you arresting me for?" Wilkinson had taken ornaments from the shop, later found on a nearby tip. He then struck at Country Kitchens in the same road and took £700-worth of property.

Robert Crawford, defending, said Wilkinson, who had never been in custody before, drank to gross excess. The offences were ham-fisted and rather pathetic.

Wilkinson was bitten by the police dog, was sore for quite a while and should have come out of the shed when the dog appeared.

The defendant was not workshy, had had casual employment on and off, but had not been able to find stable and permanent work.

Mr Crawford added Wilkinson was not yet in a situation where custody was necessary. He was not necessarily criminally orientated and prison at this stage might have a detrimental effect.

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