A 36-YEAR-OLD man caught stealing from Debenhams told police he was usually a burglar and not a shoplifter.

Blackburn magistrates heard Leon Graham Stanley had convictions for 33 previous offences.

And prosecutor Catherine Allan said the record showed Stanley was, indeed, a burglar.

Stanley, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing two Armani fragrances.

He was sentenced to one day in the cells in lieu of a financial penalty after the magistrates heard he was due to be recalled on prison licence.

Gareth Price, defending, said the point Stanley had been trying to make to the police was that he doesn’t usually commit low level, acquisitive crime.

“Following his release from prison in June, he got a job, enjoyed a steady relationship and a stable address and everything was going well for him,” said Mr Price.