A VICAR whose defrosting vehicle was taken by a thief sent a judge a letter as the culprit faced sentence.

Amphetamine addict Jamie Holding, 21, had sent the Rev Philip Chew a letter apologising for his actions last November and the victim in turn had written to Judge Beverley Lunt saying he believed Holding was sincere.

The defendant, who also broke into a boarded up house said to be an "environmental risk" was jailed for a total of 18 months, at Burnley Crown Court.

Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt told Holding he now had quite a lot of burglaries on his record and he was heading for the three-year minimum jail sentence if he struck again.

She said the sentiments in Mr Chew's letter were "as you would expect from a vicar".

Holding, of Parkinson Street, Burnley, admitted burglary and taking a vehicle without authority. He asked for nine other offences to be taken into consideration.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, told the court Holding burgled a house on Hunslett Street which was said to have been broken into almost every day. When he was arrested and interviewed, all the evidence against him came from him.

Mr Chew had left his vehicle with the engine running and the keys in the ignition while it defrosted on Todmorden Road, Burnley. He went inside to get his daughter and when he came out again the vehicle had gone.

Holding later told police he had wanted to borrow the vehicle and had no intention of stealing it.

Miss Statham said when police searched the defendant's house, they found an Aladdin's Cave of property. He had previous convictions for burglary.

Alex Leach, defending, said Holding expected prison. He had abused amphetamine and hoped to be able to return to employment in the near future as he found stability in day to day work.