A MAN dealt with by Blackburn magistrates for breaching a criminal behaviour order reoffended within 10 minutes of being released from the court.

Blackburn magistrates heard the terms of the order were reiterated to Thomas Ferguson when he was dealt with for the first breach which he blamed on ignorance of the boundaries.

Ferguson, 31, of Pump Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft of four packs of boxer shorts from Matalan and breach of a criminal behaviour order. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said Ferguson had been detained in Matalan in Blackburn at 11.10am after staff saw him leaving with a bulge under his jacket.

“The aggravating feature of these offences is that they occurred at 11.10am, literally minutes after he was released from this court after being dealt with for a breach of the same order,” said Mrs Yates.

“I dealt with that case and my record shows it was concluded at 11am," she added

“The chairman of the magistrates reiterated the terms of the order to him but he went straight out and offended again.” said Mrs Yates.

Peter King, defending, said his client had been in a revolving door scenario of prison, homelessness, prison for a number of years.