A COCAINE addict who went stealing in Colne Asda then went back there to apply for a job - but was recognised from CCTV footage .

Burnley Crown Court heard how Simon Holden, 22, helped himself to some more lager from near the door as he left.

Holden, of Dall Street, Burnley, had also admitted theft and resisting police in breach of a suspended sentence after pinching muscle building powder worth £53 from Boots and then giving the police false details.

Holden, who also asked for a theft offence to be considered, won his freedom - but got a ticking off from a judge who told him he had wasted his youth.

Recorder David Williams told the defendant, who may inherit a property through bereavement he was in a better position than lads of his age coming out of university with debts of £20,000 or "young lads of your age who are putting their lives at risk."

The judge told Holden, who had been on remand: "The choice is yours. You either waste your life or make something of it."

The defendant was given 52 weeks in jail, suspended for two years.

The court was told Holden had been given the suspended term in September last year for house burglary committed last July on Castle Street, Nelson.

He had raided the home of an acquaintance and stolen his laptop. The defendant had previously been to the victim's house and knew the computer would be in the house during the day whilst the householder was out. He told police he needed to pay off a drugs debt.

In April, Holden was given a community order. He had stolen twice from Asda.

The defendant had taken four boxes of lager worth £40, was caught on CCTV and three days later went back and filled in a job application. He was recognised by an employee and as he left took two more boxes of alcohol. The defendant had 41 previous convictions.