A THIEF chased out of a shop by the owner turned and told him if he touched him he would stab him

Blackburn magistrates heard the offence was one of a number committed by Lee John Morris within weeks of him being released from prison.

Morris, 35, of Allendale Street, Colne, pleaded guilty to four charges of shoplifting and using threatening behaviour towards the owner of the O & S Convenience Store. He was jailed for 16 weeks and ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge. An application for a criminal behaviour order will be held on May 3.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said the owner of the O & S Convenience Store had seen two men stealing boxes of chocolates and chased them out of his shop.

Morris turned and made the threat.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client accepted that his record of offending took the offences to a higher level.

"Having been released from prison in March he is very much at risk of falling into the revolving door syndrome as far as custody is concerned," said Mr Price.