ONE of East Lancashire’s most prolific criminals is facing another jail term – and this time it will be a long one.

Joseph Farrelly Phillips, 41, admitted two charges of handling stolen goods in March, at Burnley Crown Court.

The defendant, who has been on remand for three months, asked to be sentenced, hoping he might win his release.

But, when Judge Beverley Lunt told him it would be a lengthy stretch behind bars, his barrister asked for a pre-sentence report.

Farrelly Phillips, who is from Colne, but has more recently lived in Burnley, handled the proceeds of a house raid in Bracewell Street, Burnley, not long after it was committed.

Much of the loot was found at his home. He also handled stolen compact discs, a bank card and a jacket.

The defendant, who has about 150 previous convictions, was remanded in custody by Judge Lunt, who will sentence him on July 29.

Mark Stuart, for Farrelly Phillips, said someone had been charged with the burglary and it was not the defendant.

Others were staying at the same house as him at the time.