A SHOPLIFTER stole more than £1,000 worth of goods in a six-week spree.

Blackburn magistrates heard Joshua Thomas Whalley was stealing to fund his alcohol addiction.

Mark Williams, defending, said when he asked his client how much he drank he said as much as he could get his hands on.

Whalley, 23, of Frank Street, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to three charges of stealing alcohol worth a total of £475 from Tesco, Padiham, stealing handbags worth £381 from M & S Burnley, and three charges of stealing meat worth a total of £396 from M & S, Burnley.

He was jailed for 12 weeks and ordered to pay £128 victim surcharge on release.

Wakkas Javed, prosecuting, said Whalley had been jailed for four weeks in August for shoplifting offences.

Mr Williams said Whalley had committed his first offence in 2019 and had very quickly gone through the range of sentences until he arrived at custody.

"Drugs and alcohol have been his downfall but it is alcohol that has got a serious grip of him now," said Mr Williams.

"He is very realistic and understands what the outcome will be today."