Drug addict looked to fund his habit by stealing from cars at night

Blackburn magistrates heard John James Rice wandered the streets trying vehicle door handles looking for an opportunity to steal.

Rice, 32, of Irving Place, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to 16 charges of vehicle interference and one of theft of £20 in cash, a bottle of wine hair gel and air freshener from a car.

The court heard the offences put him in breach of a suspended sentence imposed for similar offences and he was jailed for a total of 16 weeks.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said theft from parked cars was a significant problem.

"It isn't just the fact that items have been stolen but the inconvenience it can lead to," said Mrs Mann.

Scott Parker, defending, said Rice had been made subject to a suspended prison sentence in November and had been doing very well until there was a problem with his methadone prescription.

"He reverted to type and was wandering around the streets near where he lives trying car doors and hoping to get lucky," said Mr Parker. "He does not damage cars to gain entry."