A CLERGYMAN conned out of almost £1,000 by a thief he had previously forgiven for burgling his vicarage today insisted he would help him again.

But the Rev Kevin Logan admitted that he got "too deeply" involved with Edward Collins, who was jailed for 13 months for six offences of deception involving the vicar of Christ Church CE, Accrington.

Collins, 33, of Norfolk Grove, Church, had been given a 12-month drug treatment and testing order in December 2004 for the burglary at the vicarage, off Manchester Road.

While on remand, the father-of-two wrote to Mr Logan apologising for his actions.

The clergyman wrote back forgiving him and offering help when he was released. Preston Crown Court was told that Collins took up the offer, turning up at the vicarage with his family.

The court heard that Mr Logan gave him money for food several times, but told him he could not keep doing it and that he needed to get a job.

Then in February someone purporting to be a social worker rang to say Collins had a job, but needed transport to commute to Preston and asked for a loan to get a car.

Mr Logan was led to believe that the loan would be repaid when a grant to help offenders get back into work came through.

But after loaning him £300 and helping him buy a car, he got suspicious.

The court heard that Mr Logan tried to organise a meeting with the "social worker" but was told that would not be possible because of a family bereavement.

The vicar tried to get a meeting with someone else who had given the name Patel, but on ringing 1471, realised it was the defendant's home number. The defendant was a man with 170 offences on his record, including 54 for theft, the court was told.

Speaking after the case, Mr Logan said: "It is a normal thing in a vicarage to help people in this way. But in the end it turned out to be a scam to extract money and I had no alternative but to hand the matter over to the police.

"I think I broke the cardinal rule and got involved too deeply. I just wanted to help him too much.

"I don't hold any grudge and I hope he will come and look me up when he gets out, but he won't be getting any more money!

"I am sorry he hasn't taken this brilliant opportunity to stop and become the role model he wanted to be for his son.

"But it is not too late -- he has another chance once he's done his 13 months and I hope he takes it."

Sentencing Collins Judge Anthony Russell QC said: "You took advantage of the goodwill of the priest who was showing you kindness and mercy following a crime you had committed against him."