A ONE-TIME drug addict who smashed his way into Woolworths and escaped with a Playstation haul has kept his freedom.
John Lanceley, 25, who was also the "lookout" for another raid, had a "voluminous" criminal record. He had kicked his addiction but had started using drink as a "crutch" instead, Burnley magistrates heard.
The defendant, of Vaughan Street, Nelson, admitted burglary and asked for an offence to be considered. He was given 12 months supervision, with £55 costs.
The court was told the defendant threw a large paving stone at the front of the store and it bounced off three times before breaking the glass. He and an accomplice then climbed through the hole and made off with a Playstation, games, and DVDs. The defendant was arrested after CCTV evidence was watched by police and he fully admitted the offence. Lanceley had 46 previous convictions.
Trevor Grice, defending, said Lanceley had voluntarily sought help for his habit. He had relied on drink as a substitute for heroin.
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