Burglar 'will never stop life of crime'.

BRITAIN'S oldest burglar Richard Blaylock will continue his life of crime "even if he lives to be 100".

That's the view of the detective who has spent more than 20 years on his case.

Blaylock, 77, is back behind bars at Durham Prison today - adding to a record stretching back to 1943, when he was just 11. He has spent more than half his life in prison, amassing 73 convictions - 57 of them offences of dishonesty.

Yesterday he began his 58th stay at Her Majesty's pleasure after being found guilty of two more burglaries.

He was given a sentence of two years and four months for a two night-time burglaries carried out at properties near his home in Carlisle.

Det Sgt Peter Proud said he had seen first hand the misery caused by Blaylock.

"If he lives to be 100 and retains his health I have absolutely no doubt he will still be committing crime," said DS Proud. "In the past he has been described as a bit of a rogue, but make no mistake about it, he is a purveyor of misery."

Blaylock's defence solicitor Malcolm Dodds said his client was in failing health which made it likely he would die in jail.

Blaylock had earlier admitted burgling a house and an outbuilding at Great Orton, near Carlisle, on May 21.