A PROLIFIC Burnley car crook was caught red-handed after a witness snapped him on his mobile phone breaking into a vehicle.

Burnley magistrates heard the picture was shown to police who immediately recognised drug addict Mark Hollins, 29, of no fixed address.

After being arrested Hollins, who has 93 previous convictions, admitted a catalogue of offences and told officers: "I am going to jail now. I want to get my life sorted."

And magistrates granted his wish, jailing him for four months.

The court was told that Hollins owned up to 19 more crimes, including stealing a satellite navigation system and sports equipment worth almost £1,000 from one car.

He also struck "brazenly" when one vehicle was left unattended for just 20 minutes in the middle of the afternoon in a Burnley car park.

It was this incident which the witness captured on his mobile'.

Hollins who was subject to a conditional discharge, community orders and tagging at the time, admitted theft and damage and asked for 17 offences to be considered.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said Hollins' latest offending was almost exclusively stealing from cars.

Richard Taylor, defending, who described Hollins as quietly spoken and charming, said the defendant had been introduced to heroin some years ago.

He said Hollins had appeared regularly before the courts and had received community punishments and jail, but that he now wanted to come off drugs.

Mr Taylor added: "He apologises for what heroin has made him do, to those people whose property has been abused by him.

"He volunteered a number of offences which may not easily or at all have been detected."

Mr Taylor said Hollins was determined to do his very best while in prison to come off drugs.