A THIEF told a car owner he had witnessed a break-in on her vehicle.

But while the woman went to report the incident Daniel Fletcher, who had committed the break-in, ran away.

And Blackburn magistrates heard that when police called to arrest him he again ran off and, while they were looking for him, broke into another car.

Fletcher, 24, of Whitehead Street, Blackburn, was jailed for a total of nine months by Blackburn magistrates after pleading guilty to four offences of stealing from cars.

District Judge Jonathon Finestein said Fletcher had an appalling record for similar offences.

"For a few months at least the public of Blackburn will be protected from you."