A DRUG-USER who deliberately stole so he could get off drugs in prison was told his rehabilitation would have to be high speed.

Stephen Parker, defending, told Blackburn magistrates that John Cheetham felt prison was the only place he could get "clean."

But district judge Paul Firth ruled that while Cheetham would be going to prison, he would not be getting his Christmas dinner inside.

"I hope he doesn't take very long to get himself off drugs, because he is not going to get very long from me," said the judge.

Cheetham, 27, of no fixed address pleaded guilty to stealing meat worth £35 from Asda in Accrington.

He was sentenced to 14 days in prison, of which he will serve seven.