A THIEF who has plagued small shop owners in Padiham is set to be banned from stores under an anti-social behaviour order.

James Youngman, 24, said to steal to fund his "£70 a day heroin habit" has struck repeatedly in the town and is due to be made subject of the criminal ASBO on August 1, Burnley magistrates heard.

In his latest thieving expedition he stole DVDs worth £80 from the Co-op and deodorant from Susan's Newsagents.

Youngman, of Hill Street, Padiham, admitted two theft charges. He was bailed to face sentence on August 1.

David Hartley, prosecuting, said the defendant went into the Co-op with a basket with a paper over the top. He was spotted putting something under his jacket, was asked to stop, refused and made off.

He went into Susan's and was told by an assistant: "I hope you're not thinking of lifting those because you are on camera."

Youngman went round the shop and walked out with the deodorants.

Mr Hartley said the defendant had a £70 a day heroin addiction which caused him to offend. The police were applying for a criminal ASBO, under which he would be excluded from self service shops in Padiham.

Trevor Grice, defending, said it was inevitable the anti-social behaviour order would be made.

Youngman conceeded he had a heroin habit, which had got a real grip of him, but would dispute it was £70 a day. He had gone out and sought voluntary help, was due to see the community drugs team and anticipated he would be put on methadone, Mr Grice said.