A CAREER criminal who has been jailed constantly for seven years may get help in the community to fight his "chronic" drug habit.

Barry Duxbury, who carried out a near £5,000 raid on Hameldon Community College, Burnley, could still end up in jail.

But a judge gave him a chance to be assessed by the Probation Service.

Duxbury, who also broke into a shop in Standish street, Burnley, in the early hours, was trying to raise cash to buy heroin, the town's crown court was told.

The defendant, of Wren Street, Burnley, had admitted two burglaries and had been committed for sentence by the town's magistrates.

He was remanded in custody until April 11.

Judge Beverley Lunt told Duxbury she would let the Probation Service have a look at him, but added: "It doesn't mean you are not going to face a lengthy custodial sentence."

Silvia Dacre, prosecuting, told the court the defendant broke into Hameldon Community College last December and stole 11 laptops, four radios, five chargers and cash, worth £4,728.

He was arrested after police recognised him on CCTV and when he was questioned, he accepted he had committted the burglary to try and raise money to buy heroin and to pay off a £200 drugs debt.

Richard Taylor, defending, said since 2001, Duxbury had received only custodial sentences - although it was conceeded these offences should carry prison.

The defendant had not had any probation intervention for seven years and would welcome assistance with his chronic drug habit, Mr Taylor said.