A MAN said to drink to "drown the misery" of his existence was arrested for being drunk and disorderly within hours of being released from prison.

Blackburn magistrates heard Christopher Costello was released from Preston Prison in the morning and put before the town's magistrates that afternoon.

He was released because prison recall papers could not be process quickly enough.

But the papers were ready when Costello was arrested again two days later for using threatening behaviour towards a Colne store manager.

Costello, 56, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour towards Philip Benson.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months after the magistrates were told he was being recalled to prison for 28 days.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Costello had been made subject to a criminal behaviour order on Friday, November 15, when he was still in prison, which prohibited him from entering numerous stores in Colne, including Tesco.

On Wednesday the manager of that store saw Costello outside and he made a threat of violence towards him.

"He didn't actually enter the store, which would have put him in breach of the criminal behaviour order, but his behaviour was clearly threatening," said Mr Robinson.

Nick Dearing, defending, said his client had been homeless for the last two or three years and his life was an endless cycle of custodial sentences.

"I have lost track of how many custodial sentences he has had this year," said Mr Dearing.

"He never seems to be out for more than a few days because he comes out to nothing and ends up drinking to drown out the misery of his existence.

"He often says to the police that he needs to go back to prison."