A HOUSE-breaker who started his criminal career at the age of 15 is back in prison, but says it does not bother him.

Burnley Crown Court heard former heroin addict Stephen Gorton, 20, took a scooter from a living room and then crashed into a police car while over the alcohol limit.

He was arrested and cautioned and told officers: "I'm going back to jail but I don't care."

His counsel told a judge Gorton's response to the police was sad - as was the fact custody had had no effect on him.

Gorton, of Branch Road, Burnley, who also broke into a pub, was sent to a Young Offenders' Institution for two and a half years.

He admitted burglary, driving with excess alcohol and no insurance. He was also banned from driving for 18 months.

Sue Riley, prosecuting, told the court Gorton took the scooter from a house on Hollingreave Road, Burnley, while the owner was in bed and his mother was in the kitchen. Police later spotted the defendant driving in an erratic manner and Gorton hit a police car near Towneley Park.

Another officer then saw Gorton driving without a helmet and "all over the road" and chased him after the defendant jumped off the scooter and ran off. Gorton was arrested and cautioned and said he did not care if he went to custody. He was breath tested and the lowest test revealed 75 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.