A BURGLAR stole parcels from Bolton apartment blocks and fuel from petrol stations in an eight-month crime wave.

Between July 8 and 10 last year, police received reports of a number of parcels and property being stolen from apartment blocks at Holden Mill, Valley Mill and Brook Mill.

On July 8 Christian Warburton sneaked into Valley Mill and stole a book, worth £13 and went to Holden Mill the same day where he took an artificial tree and butane gas.

The following day he was back at Holden Mill where he stole clothes worth £6 and headed to Valley Mill where he took packages which contained make-up, books, a smart light and hand sanitiser.

Then on July 10 there was a visit to Brook Mill where a £72 mirror and brush holder were stolen and at Holden Mill where another parcel was taken.

Three months later, on October 8 and 10, Warburton had turned his attention to stealing fuel and targeted several petrol stations, including Sharples service station on Blackburn Road and the Shell garage on Tonge Moor Road, driving off without paying for £130.50 worth of petrol.

Wigan magistrates heard how, on October 8, Warburton had no licence or insurance when he was driving a Vauxhall Vectra, which failed to stop for a red light on Blackhorse Street.

Earlier, on May 10 last year he had also driven a Toyota Aygo on Great Marld Close, Bolton, without a licence or insurance then again on May 15 and 16 on Chorley New Road. He also admitted stealing a patio heater, turf and decking the same month.

Then on January 21, police were sent to a disturbance in Westminster Road, Astley Bridge, where Warburton had assaulted a woman.

Three days later Warburton, aged 30, was arrested and when officers searched his home, they found a bag was found containing a laptop and a tablet which had been stolen from a vehicle on Ollerton Terrace in Sharples overnight.

In court Warburton, of Westminster Road, pleaded guilty to all the charges and was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for two years.

Magistrates also ordered that he be electronically tagged and made subject to a 7pm to 7am curfew for four weeks and he must undertake drug treatment and a thinking skills programme.

Warburton was ordered to pay his victims compensation for their losses, a restraining order was made and he was banned from driving for two years.