CAREER criminals made up more than two in five serious offenders convicted in Cumbria last year, figures reveal – suggesting many are caught up in a cycle of reoffending.

The statistics also show fewer than three in five of those convicted with at least 15 previous convictions or cautions to their name were sent to prison.

In Cumbria last year, in 647 of the 1,454 cases (44 per cent) where an adult admitted or was found guilty of an indictable offence – such as theft, violence or rape – the offender had at least 15 previous convictions or cautions, Ministry of Justice data shows.

That included 32 where the offender had 75 or more previous convictions or cautions.

The figures also showed that of the cases where offenders had at least 15 previous convictions or cautions, 324 (50 per cent) resulted in an immediate prison sentence.

Some 17 (three per cent) resulted in no punishment and 129 (20 per cent) with a fine.

The outcomes for 18 cases were not specified.