‘King of Spades’ burglar who committed 300 offences jailed for six years

Crack cocaine addict Daniel Devlin (38), of Harling Street, admitted burglary and had been committed for sentence at Burnley Crown Court by the town’s magistrates.

He asked for 88 offences to be considered. Judge Beverly Lunt ordered the six-year term to start immediately.

The defendant was named the “King of Spades” five years ago when police in Burnley released playing cards of the town’s worst offenders.

He was last before the courts in March r when he was jailed for five years for burgling people’s homes while they slept.

Devlin, an accomplice or accomplices, jemmied a playroom window at one property, stole electrical and computer equipment, sentimental jewellery and drove away four cars after stealing the keys from inside the properties.

The March hearing was told one family was left devastated after the only photographs of a newborn baby were stolen.

Another victim told police she was heartbroken by the attack on her house.

Devlin has now committed around 300 offences and has served several prison sentences.The defendant, who started his life of crime when he was just 10, was given an anti-social behaviour order to try to stop him committing crime in 2007.