A 26-YEAR-OLD man travelled to Blackburn to steal because he was struggling to pay his rent.
Blackburn magistrates heard Damon Allan Hopkins was seen in Next carrying a rucksack and a bulging red bag.
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And when he was detained after a chase by security staff he was found to have stolen 37 items of clothing worth £538.
Hopkins, of Greenwood Street, Preston, pleaded guilty to shoplifting.
He was made subject to a community order for six months with 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £110 and ordered to pay £85 victim surcharge.
Tracey Yates, prosecuting, said a member of staff in Next became suspicious and alerted Mall security. Hopkins ran off, pursued by a member of The Mall security team. He was eventually detained in the bus station and all the stolen property recovered.
Hopkins told police he had travelled to Blackburn with the intention of stealing because he couldn't pay his rent.
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