A 37-YEAR-OLD former drug and alcohol addict was caught by a police dog committing burglaries in Blackburn town centre.

Blackburn magistrates heard Peter Taylor went on a late night burglary spree stealing several charity boxes.

But his past came back to bite him when he was detained by a police dog called Sharkie.

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Taylor, of Moorgate Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to burglary at Exchange Coffee Company, the British Heart Foundation shop and Blackburn Market hall as well as theft of charity boxes and burglary at Rummage Rescuers and theft of £20.

He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Lisa Harrison, of Rummage Rescuers realised her till was £20 short and checked the CCTV. It showed Taylor, who was in a relationship with her daughter, let himself into the shop and remove money from the till.

Taylor told police he had taken the keys without his girlfriend knowing. He said his girlfriend went mad when she found out.

The other burglaries were all committed on the same night. Police were alerted to a burglary at Exchange Coffee and an officer who was investigating heard the sound of breaking glass coming from the market.

“He saw the defendant, wearing the same clothes as seen by the CCTV operator, walking away from the market and shouted at him to stop, warning that he had a dog,” said Miss Allan. “He ignored the warning and the officer deployed Sharkie who detained the defendant by biting him. When the officer arrested Taylor he found several charity boxes which had been stolen from stalls on the market.”

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Taylor had not been in trouble for several years.

“He managed to work with narcotics anonymous and alcoholics anonymous, met a girl and knew that in order to maintain the relationship he had to stay off alcohol and drugs,” said Mr Taylor. “The drink and drugs were entrenched and it wasn’t easy but for over two years he has been out of trouble.”

Mr Taylor said Taylor was having problems and went into town where he met old acquaintances: “He started drinking, moved onto drugs and ended up in a haze.” “He now needs to decide which way to turn. He can either continue the good progress he has made or go back to his old ways. He knows he is at a crossroads.”