A DRUG addict who “wasn’t coping” went into an Oswaldtwistle priest’s house and stole a £500 projector.

Blackburn magistrates heard on a separate occasion John Lomax helped himself to a pedal cycle that had been left outside a town centre store.

Lomax, 43, of Washington Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to theft from St Mary’s Roman Catholic presbytery and theft of a pedal cycle belonging to Omar Zaheer.

He was sentenced to 14 days in prison and ordered to pay £115 costs.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said CCTV footage was viewed after it was discovered the projector had been stolen from the public area of the church.

It showed Lomax enter the church, sit down for a moment and then put the projector under his coat and walk out.

Mr Zaheer had left his bike outside the Game shop in Accrington and when he came out it had gone.

CCTV showed Lomax climb on the bike and ride off.

“Both items were later sold to Cash Converters who paid £20 for the bike and £100 for the projector,” said Miss Akhtar.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client had a lengthy record for offences of dishonesty.

“That is brought about through misuse of class A drugs,” said Mr Price.

“At the time of these offences he had a prescription for methadone but he wasn’t coping and committed these offences to raise money to buy drugs.”