CALLS have been made to help criminals stop reoffending after a man appeared in court every month this year.

Francis Duffy, was jailed for 12 weeks after pleading guilty to burglary at a Superdrug store.

Duffy, 39, of Colne Road, Burnley, stole designer perfumes of unknown value as well as children’s toys and razor blades worth £346.

Magistrates were told Duffy had appeared in court throughout the year for a variety of offences including when he pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour and damaging medical equipment while being treated for a drug overdose at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

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Andrew Stephenson, Pendle’s MP, said one of the ways to stop offenders returning to crime was through securing employment.

Mr Stephenson took part in The Speaker’s Scheme, which aimed at giving people with criminal records the chance to take up meaningful employment.

Mr Stephenson hired an ex-offender in October 2015 to work in his parliamentary office and the House of Commons as an assistant.

Mr Stephenson said: “It is important to break the cycle of reoffending.

“I took on an ex-offender and gave them the chance to prove themselves.

“We need to do more as a government and our businesses need to be able to look past the convictions.

“There are some who do, but there are many more who need to do the same.

“They will find those who have previous convictions can turn out to be some of the most loyal, diligent and honest people around.

“By gaining a job it gives people the chance to get into a routine and settle down.

“It gives them a chance to pay their rent or bills and keep themselves steady and not have to resort to committing a crime.”