A 27-YEAR-OLD thief has been jailed for 16 weeks for three shoplifting offences, one of them involving two Pot Noodles.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Atvar Simanis knew he was at risk of going to prison and planned to use the sentence to get clear of drugs.

Simanis, of Johnston Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing chocolate worth £80 from Park Garage, Whalley New Road, two Pot Noodles from Tesco, Bank Top, and three bluetooth speakers from B & M Bargains.

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Ian Huggan, defending, said Simanis had come to this country from Latvia with his parents and everything had been fine until he fell in with the “wrong crowd” and was introduced to drugs.

“He was thrown out by his family when they came to the end of their tether and the Pot Noodles theft was simply because he was hungry,” said Mr Huggan.

“He is a young man who desperately needs to get himself clear of drugs and if he goes to prison today he hopes that will give him the start he needs.”

The magistrates revoked a previous community order and sentenced Simanis to 16 weeks for all outstanding matters.