A prolific criminal who was taken on his first burglary aged 15 has been jailed after he went back to the house he targeted, demanding to have his phone back.

Allan Dryden, 36, of Lakeland Avenue, Whitehaven, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday, via video link from Durham Prison.

The court was told that Dryden had been out of prison "for a matter of weeks" when he committed his latest burglary at Monkwray Brow in Whitehaven.

On January 9, he had entered the home of a man whose elderly parents were in the property.

The man had gone out briefly and on his return, found Dryden inside. He confronted Dryden, who told him he was committing a robbery.

Dryden then punched him in the face and there was an altercation, before Dryden made off.

He returned to the property, asking for his mobile phone and threw a plant at the homeowner.

The court heard that Dryden had been brought up by his dad who had taken him out on his first burglary aged 15.

His father had introduced him to illegal substances and he had then become addicted.

Dryden had intended to stay in the North East on his release from prison, before the latest burglary took place.

But he had become homeless and had to come back to Cumbria, the court was told.

Kim Whittlestone, defending said: "He understands he has got to take responsibility for his own life.

"He suffers with his mental health. He describes himself as institutionalised. He realises it's going to be a custodial sentence."

Judge Nicholas Barker said this was his seventh dwelling burglary since 2003.

Dryden was sentenced to 49 months in prison. He will serve half of the sentence in custody then the other half on licence.