A THIEF who thought he was helping himself to computer equipment actually stole an empty box weighed down with paint.

Burnley magistrates heard how Anthony Archer, 19, who also ran from a jeweller's shop with a £226 gold necklace, took cooked meats from another store and was captured on video.

Archer, of Mitella Street, Burnley, was sent to prison for a total of six months. He admitted two counts of theft and asked for three offences to be considered.

Mike Travers, prosecuting, said Archer offended while on bail. He was given probation of six months in October last year, for shoplifting.

He owned up to the offences to be considered because he told police he wanted to wipe the slate clean, get off drugs and start afresh.

Mark Williams, defending, said Archer was currently on probation. He had developed a drug problem and when he was arrested, said he wanted to sort himself out.

Archer had been trying to arrange some sort of rehabilitation and was concerned that, without it, his offending would become more serious.

The defendant had taken the realistic and brave step to own up to the offences to be considered and without his voluntary admission, the police would have known nothing about them.

Mr Williams, who added Archer thought he was stealing computer equipment from PC World, but took an empty box, had in the past stayed out of trouble for a year. He went on: "He has shown when he has gone to custody in the past that he can come out and make a go of it."

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