A shoplifter backed himself into a corner by continuing to offend despite being given a chance by the courts.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Joshua Whalley failed to attend his induction meeting with the Probation Service and then started to offend again.

Jailing him for 20 weeks, Deputy District Judge Kate Harney said it gave her no pleasure to sentence Whalley, who clearly needed help.

“You were given the chance to access that help last time you were in court but failed to engage with the Probation Service,” said Deputy District Judge Harney.

“I only have one option available to me today.”

Whalley, 25, of Wycoller Avenue, Burnley, pleaded guilty to three charges of shoplifting.

Carl Gaffney, prosecuting, said Whalley was detained at one of the three stores and the property recovered. The other two offences had been caught on CCTV.

Mark Williams, mitigating, said the majority of the 79 convictions on his client’s record had been committed after 2019.

“Prior to that he was in a relationship and his partner introduced him to drugs,” said Mr Williams.

“When the relationship broke down he was left homeless and with a drug addiction and his problems started there.”

Mr Williams said his client’s problem was now more alcohol than drugs and he had been stealing to buy drink.

“He doesn’t cause any problems when he is challenged,” said Mr Williams.