Rampant Burglar jailed for 2 years

Date published: 25/06/2008

A PROLIFIC burglar who struck twice in one night in Rawtenstall has been jailed for two years.

Peter Balman, 32, and an accomplice had been caught by an occupant forcing a window to a property on James Street in the early hours.

The defendant was later arrested after the victim described to police a ginger-haired culprit.

He then admitted attacking another house and taking jewellery, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Balman, who was subject to a community order at the time, admitted burglary on May 20, and asked for three offences - two burglaries and one theft from a vehicle- to be considered.

The defendant, of Bacup Road, Waterfoot, had more than 60 previous convictions, including offences of burglary, supplying heroin and possessing an offensive weapon.

He had been on remand 27 days.

Recorder Maurice Greene said the defendant had struck just over a month after being given a community order for burgling a pub.

He said what had happened to Balman was sad and told him: "You clearly have had a significant drug problem which has led to your offending.

"In your teens you had qualifications and work but drugs led you into a spiral of offending you have not been able to get out of."