A MAN who helped himself to coffee and a pasty in a petrol station invited staff to call the police.

Blackburn magistrates heard that shortly after Kane Oxford flagged down a passing police patrol he admitted the theft and said he wanted to go back to prison.

And when the magistrates obliged and jailed him for four weeks Oxford gave them a 'thumbs-up' sign as he was led away in handcuffs.

The court heard he had initially intended to rob the store but changed his mind and settled for a free evening snack instead.

Oxford, 30, now of no fixed address but previously of Progress Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft from Kitchens Service Station, Trafalgar Street, Burnley.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said Oxford walked into the garage shop at 8.55pm on Wednesday, February 13, selected the pasty and started eating it.

He got a coffee from the machine and when he was challenged told staff he wasn't paying.

"When he was interviewed he said he didn't want to be in the outside world anymore and wanted to go back to prison," said Mrs Yates.

"He said he went in to rob the till but then changed his mind and took the pasty and coffee instead."

Nick Dearing, defending, said his client suffered from schizophrenia, was homeless and wanted to go back to prison so he could get his medication sorted out.

"He says he will not co-operate with the probation service or pay any fines," said Mr Dearing.

"His last sentence was only two weeks and he says that was not enough and he would like more. I have told him this is not a bargaining court but he asks you to exercise your public duty and send him to prison."