A "CAREER criminal" who terrorised a shop worker in a robbery and burgled 10 social clubs in a month has been jailed for four-and-half years.

Heroin addict Michael Davies, 30, embarked on a crime spree during May 2006, in which he burgled social clubs in Burnley and robbed Shippy's general store in Padiham Road, Sabden, Preston Crown Court heard.

Davies, of Derby Street, Clitheroe, was appearing for sentence after being convicted at a previous trial of the store robbery.

Davies burst into the Sabden premises on May 31 and manhandled assistant Marjorie Bostock before fleeing with £600.

The court heard how, in the previous month, he carried out a string of burglaries at social clubs and commercial premises.

He confessed to stealing £300 and causing £300 damage, when he broke into the Hob and Gill WMC in Burnham Gate, Burnley.

Stewards at Burnley Cricket Club also reported a break-in at their Belvedere Road premises. Lighters and alcohol had been taken after a window was forced.

Davies also admitted targeting other Burnley clubs, including St Andrew's Conservative Club, Colne Road, Rosegrove Unity, and Lowerhouse Cricket Club.

Judge Jonathan Woolman told him he was fortunate Mrs Bostock had not suffered more serious injuries during the robbery.

"You are an institution-alised offender. You seem unable to cope on the outside," the judge said.

John Berry, defending, said his client's prolific offending was because of his drug addiction.

The court heard Davies, who had 39 convictions for 103 offences stretching back more than 15 years, found it difficult to adjust to society when released from prison.

Davies admitted two burglary charges and asked for eight similar offences to be considered. He also confessed to a burglary and car theft in Park Avenue, Clitheroe, shortly before the Sabden robbery.

Davies sneaked into the kitchen, stole car keys and drove off in a Chrysler, which contained electrical goods worth £10,000.

Police linked Davies to the break-in after they retrieved a tube of cheese spread, handled by the defendant during the raid, which still carried his fingerprints.