AN alcoholic went shoplifting half an hour before a court appearance. Burnley magistrates heard how Anthony Fallows, 47, was bailed to appear but did not turn up.

Fallows, of Disraeli Street, Burnley, admitted two counts of theft and was remanded in custody until September 14 for a pre-sentence report.

He was told by the bench that all options would be open, including a custodial sentence.

Mike Travers, prosecuting, said the defendant, who had 65 previous convictions, was in breach of six conditional discharges.

He went on: "He clearly has a drink problem but retailers in Burnley have a problem with people consistently offending while on bail."

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