A PROLIFIC thief has vowed to change his ways – saying he has embraced religion.

Burnley Crown Court heard Liam O'Callaghan attempted to steal a handbag off a woman on a street in Nelson.

The 31-year-old, who has 76 previous convictions for 131 offences, including 32 theft-related crimes, was spared jail at his sentencing.

Robert Elias, defending, said that the Nelson man, who has spent the last two years in prison serving another sentence, has now turned to Christianity to atone.

The defence barrister said: "O'Callaghan's life was a bit of a disaster and this is something better to work towards."

The court heard O'Callaghan, of York Street, Nelson, was looking for money to fuel his drug addiction when he targeted his victim, Razia Begum.

She had just visited a jewellers in Nelson town centre when he followed her down Victoria Street at around 3pm on October 3, 2016.

Brendan O'Leary, prosecuting, said Ms Begum felt a 'forceful pull' on her handbag from O'Callaghan and told the thief to stop because she was feeling nervous and breathless.

Mr O'Leary said a taxi was making its way up Victoria Street and the driver beeped his horn in reaction to the scuffle.

The taxi driver then got out of the car and scared the defendant off, who let go of the woman's handbag, the court heard.

The defendant was arrested two days later after Ms Begum reported the incident to the police.

Reading out the victim statement, Mr O'Leary said: "Ms Begum describes how she is now scared of going shopping and nervous about leaving the house."

The court then heard O'Callaghan's long list of previous convictions, including assaulting a police constable, money laundering and an 18-month prison sentence for actual bodily harm.

Defending O'Callaghan, Mr Elias said his client had taken up Bible reading while in prison and now plans to take part in a two-year programme with Manchester-based Christian charity, Message Enterprise Centre.

The charity offers a home and support for young people who have recently come out of prison and 'turned to Jesus' after deciding to leave their old ways behind.

The defence barrister said: "I can't believe seeing anything like this before in my time here. His vowed intent is to live a Christian life. It's so rare to actually do it."

Judge Jonathan Gibson, concluding, said: "You are 31 and have a lengthy record of previous convictions for offences of both dishonesty and some of violence. You tried to pull this lady's bag and it has caused her fear and loss of confidence when out in the future."

He also said: "You have been honest about your feelings and working positively with the probation service during the licence period. There is a good chance of rehabilitation in your case."

O'Callaghan received a 12-month suspended sentence and will have to do 150 hours of unpaid work.