A PROLIFIC burglar who struck 17 times, mostly in the Accrington and Rossendale areas, to fund his £300-a-week heroin habit has been jailed for three and a half years.

Wayne Banham, 40, went on the spree when he was fresh out of jail in February.

All were house raids, except for two pubs, the Dog and Partridge in Baxenden and the Hare and Hounds in Bacup, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Banham had been arrested over two offences and then owned up to 15 more, taking police a tour of the area pointing out properties where he had broken in.

He has nine previous convictions for burgling and it was the second time he was facing a minimum sentence of three years.

The defendant, from Rossendale, but of no fixed address, admitted two charges of burglary and asked for 15 offences to be considered.

Sentencing him, Recorder Roderick Carus, QC, told him heroin changed his personality.

He said: "You break into people's houses, it's shame for you and it's also a shame for the public who have to put up with your criminal conduct."

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, told the court the offences all took place between Banham's release from prison in February and the middle of May.

Amongst the break-ins was a house in Parrack Street, Crawshawbooth, as the victims, who had accidentally left their front door open, slept in their beds. Banham helped himself to some tools and two laptop computers.

Miss Statham said Banham next targeted Higher Bridge Farm in Waterfoot, when the occupants were out. He forced entry into the utility room and took cash from a bedroom.

Forensic evidence linked him to both crimes and the defendant admitted what he had done.

Banham told officers he had a £40 a day drug habit. Some of the raids he pointed out to police had been committed at night.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Banham knew he was going to custody.The only question was the length of the sentence.

The police had had no evidence against Banham for the offences to be taken into consideration.

Mr Stuart said: "He is desperate at some stage to stop taking drugs because if he doesn't stop taking heroin, heroin will take his life."