A PROLIFIC offender with more than 80 convictions has been jailed again after a confrontation with a Haworth shopkeeper.

Long-term drug addict Michael Holt, 48, was spotted by owner Ann Wiles in her Main Street gift shop last April, but as she stood near the till he took the opportunity to go up the stairs to the first floor living quarters.

Bradford Crown Court heard today that the owner went to investigate when she heard "creaking noises" coming from upstairs and found the convicted burglar in the doorway to her bedroom.

When she asked what he was doing Holt said he was looking at a picture on the wall and he left the living quarters after the complainant told him it was not part of the shop.

Prosecutor Philip Standfast said the complainant checked her bedroom and discovered that a jewellery box had been left on the bed although nothing had been stolen.

The court heard that Holt had been identified as the intruder following video identification procedures. He pleaded guilty to entering the living quarters of the shop with intent to steal.

Mr Standfast said Holt, previously of Bracken Bank Grove, Keighley, had 83 convictions for 176 offences, including prison sentences in the past for house burglary.

Solicitor advocate Arshad Mahmood, for Holt, conceded that his client had an "horrendous record" and the defendant had been struggling with a drug addiction for about 30 years.

"The difficulty that he has is that he has no accommodation of his own," said Mr Mahmood.

Mr Mahmood said Holt had been stuck in a vicious cycle of leaving prison and having to stay with other drug users.

"Not only is he back taking drugs but he also committing offences to feed that habit due to the fact he has had no money whatsoever from the benefits agency as a result of his claim being assessed," said Mr Mahmood.

Mr Mahmood said his client had immediately left the living quarters when he was spoken to by the complainant.

Jailing Holt for three years, Judge Robin Mairs said his record of offending for dishonesty was "utterly horrendous" and the courts had tried to assist him in the past.

The court heard that the first floor of the premises had been part of the shop previously, but Judge Mairs said Holt knew full well he was burgling someone's home when he reached the door of the living quarters.

The judge said the shop owner had courageously gone upstairs after hearing noises and her worst fears must have been realised when she discovered an intruder in her own home.

Judge Mairs said Holt's previous record was a "grossly aggravating feature" of the case and it had been a confrontation burglary although thankfully no violence had been used.