A PROLIFIC thief stole a defibrillator and copper wiring from a Horwich social club, a court heard.

Aaron Brierley, aged 23, was one of a group of yobs to break into St Mary's Catholic Social and Recreation Club, which closed in May.

Bolton Crown Court heard that the gang broke into the club through the roof, and caused nearly £2,000 worth of damage to chairs, doors and the roof itself.

Brierley then stole a defibrillator and copper piping, which was later found by police at his home in Leicester Avenue, Horwich.

Despite being closed, the club was still maintained by a caretaker and licensee, and locked and alarmed every evening.

Club officials arrived on the morning of the incident, in August this year, to find the club in a state of "disarray".

Police launched an investigation and took DNA samples from the scene, which linked a used cigarette end to Brierley.

He was arrested and at first claimed he had found the stolen items outside the club, but later admitted stealing the items.

In a victim impact statement, Susan Stewart from the club said: "I was shocked and upset by the scene which was found after the incident. It is sad that something which could be used to save a life was stolen."

The club was built in the middle of the last century, and was closed after it was deemed to be no longer financially viable.

Addressing Brierley, Recorder Rachel Smith said: "It is safe to assume that one or more individuals had been in that property for some time, and that the defendant was one of them. Ms Stewart describes her distress at the scene she found."

She added that a pre sentence report prepared on behalf of Brierley made for "bleak reading", after receiving 16 previous convictions, many of which relating to burglary and theft.

Defending, Andrew Costello said that Brierley had a drug problem and that his problem was best remedied while in prison.

She said: "You have a lengthy history of drug abuse and criminality, and there has been little evidence of employment. You have been in trouble for more than half of your life."

"You have said that life was easier in prison than the community because of your drug problem.

"It is sad that at your age you are not able to offer the court any alternative route."

Brierley was sentenced to six months in prison after admitting one count of entering a property and stealing items.