A HOMELESS drug addict who managed to get himself a home and a job was given a chance to continue the progress he was making in his life.

Blackburn magistrates heard Stephen Hoskin's criminal record and the latest eight offences of shoplifting reflected a long standing addiction to heroin, crack cocaine and alcohol.

Hoskin, 45, of Thorn Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to eight charges of shoplifting which he admitted put him in breach of a conditional discharge imposed for similar offences. He was sentenced to six weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge.

Suspending the sentence the chairman of the magistrates said they had noted the six week period during which he appeared to have turned his life around.

"We don't want to put you in the position where you start to offend again," said the chairman. "We are going to give you a chance, please take it."

Nick Dearing, defending, said Hoskin had been mostly homeless over the last few years.

"He found himself locked in a cycle of short term prison sentences and problems on release which ultimately lead to him going back to custody," said Mr Dearing. "He has recently turned things around. For the first time in a long time he is in a good place. He has managed to get his own accommodation and he has got some casual work with a local builder."

Mr Dearing said if Hoskin lost his liberty he would lose his job and his home.

"He is not trying to hold a gun to the court's head but I would ask on his behalf you to say that you would look at custody but suspend it," added Mr Dearing.