A MAN was told he had come close to going to prison after stealing five boxes of chocolates to give as Christmas presents.

Blackburn magistrates heard the offence put Shaun Anthony Clark, 26, in breach of a suspended prison sentence.

But they decided not to activate the sentence after hearing Clark had got a job and was co-operating with the probation service.

Clark, of St Clement Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft from Morrisons.

He was fined £30 for breaching the suspended prison sentence order and ordered to pay £20 compensation.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said Clark was wearing a hi-vis jacket when the offence was caught on CCTV.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Clark had started work at the time of the offences but hadn’t received his first wage.

“He wanted the chocolates to give as Christmas presents to members of his family,” said Mr Taylor. “He is working as a refuse collector and for the first time in a long time he has some structure to his life. He feels he is a constructive member of the community rather than a destructive member.”