While on a suspended sentence, Dennis Deegan committed his 22nd house break-in, in broad daylight, Preston Crown Court heard.

However, Judge Norman Wright told Deegan: "Christmas may have come early for you – seize this chance with both hands."

Even though he qualified for a possible minimum three-year term under the "three strikes and you are out" rule, Judge Wright told Deegan he had decided to sentence him to a community order to help him fight his long-term drug addiction.

As part of the three-year order, he was to be initially resident at a drug rehabilitation centre. This would be his final chance, the judge told him.

Deegan, 34, had started taking drugs from the age of 11, the court was told. He was seen acting suspiciously outside a house on Greenbank Street, Ashton, on an afternoon in July.

Police were called and Deegan ran away.

Prosecutor, Lisa Worsley, said the woman occupier had left the property for just a few hours.

After breaking in, Deegan searched virtually every room and stole electrical goods.

Deegan, of Water Lane, Ashton, pleaded guilty to the burglary charge.
Miss Worsley said he had taken a bag to store the
stolen items which he dropped during his getaway and fingerprints were found.

He was arrested in London and brought back to Preston.
As well as 21 previous house burglaries, he had six non dwelling-house raids on his record.

Mark Stuart, representing Deegan, said he had started taking drugs at an extremely young age.

"He has gone through, in that time, virtually every drug that is known."
"The public would benefit if he could finally end his addiction," said Mr Stuart.

"He is not even a particularly good burglar. This was an unsophisticated offence and he was soon spotted by a neighbour," Mr Stuart told the court.

The judge's lenient sentence has outraged community leaders.
Ashton ward city councillor Keith Sedgewick said: "It's a bit disappointing to say the least.

"It's a totally unrealistic sentence for a habitual criminal with a history as long as your arm."

Sharoe Green councillor Margaret McManus, who lives near to Water Lane, said: "I think it's time all judges got together.

"The punishment should fit the crime and it should be across the country.

"If you steal a car, you may have got probation the first time but the second time, you should get time."

Ben Wallace, MP for Lancaster and Wyre, said: "Serial offenders like this are sticking two fingers up at our justice system. It demonstrates that under this government the victim is coming second to the offender."

In December 1999, the then-Home Secretary Jack Straw's "three strikes" announcement caused controversy because critics said it would put an extra 4,000 offenders in jail.

But in the following 12 months, not a single court made use of the new law and judges were allowed to disregard a mandatory three-year term if they deemed it "unjust".

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