A DRUNKEN criminal who stole a student's moped while a suspended jail term hung over his head has walked free from court.

Craig Lewis, 20, who had never held a driving licence, had served a jail term since the order was made and, Burnley Crown Court heard, it had brought him to his senses.

Lewis, now said to be willing to comply with any order the court made, got a chance to prove to a judge he meant business.

She admitted it had not been an easy decision to make.

The defendant, of Albert Street, Burnley, had admitted taking the bike without consent, drink driving and having no insurance and had been committed for sentence by Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale magistrates.

He was given 240 hours unpaid work, with two years supervision and was banned for three years.