A MAN with an "appalling" record for thefts from cars and related offences has been made subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order.

Blackburn magistrates heard John Rice was frequently identified as the offender by members of the public who viewed social media posts by the police.

A police statement, read to the court, said his notoriety preceded him.

"The public become frustrated with the perceived lack of action by the criminal justice system," said the statement. "There is a concern that members of the public may take matters into their own hands."

Rice, 38, of Shadsworth House, Dunoon Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft of a purse from a car and fraudulent use of a debit card which was in the purse.

He was jailed for 16 weeks and ordered to pay £117 compensation.

District Judge Alexandra Preston made him subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order for two years. The order prohibits Rice from touching or entering any vehicle without the express permission of the owner or having in his possession any items that could be used in the commission of offences such as a screwdriver or crowbar.

District Judge Preston said Rice had pleaded guilty to "yet another" theft from motor vehicle and use of a bank card stolen during that offence.

"It is made more serious because you were on prison licence for similar offences," said District Judge Preston. "You have one of the most appalling records I have seen for motor vehicle theft. You are a menace to people in Blackburn and Darwen who park their cars on the street.

"You have been given all sorts of sentences in the past and you have been offered help by the Probation Service," she said. "I am afraid you have gone back to using drugs and stealing to pay for them."

Susheela Regala, prosecuting, said the victim of the latest offence had parked her car outside her home. The next morning she received a message from her bank notifying that payments had been made from her card.

She said there had been three transactions using the stolen card at a newsagent's and two service stations at 6.06am, 6.20am and 6.56am.

Miss Segala said Rice had 53 previous convictions for 150 offences - 112 of them for theft. In August he was jailed for eight weeks for theft from motor vehicles and vehicle interference.

Kitty Shaw, defending, said following his release from prison Rice had difficulties sorting out his methadone prescription and his benefits.

"He says these offences were opportunistic from an unlocked vehicle," said Miss Shaw.