A PROLIFIC offender was said to be "literally" drinking himself to death.

Blackburn magistrates heard that recently Kevin Duxbury had been found unresponsive and his heart had stopped.

Police administered emergency first aid before taking him to hospital for further treatment.

Duxbury, 38, of the Islington Motel, Great Bolton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in Whalley New Road and theft of alcohol from Marks and Spencer.

He was jailed for eight weeks after the magistrates heard the offences put him in breach of a suspended sentence.

Peter Bardsley, prosecuting, said Duxbury was seen by a member of staff in Marks and Spencer to put a bottle of Pimms down the front of his trousers. He was challenged and told to remove the drink and leave the store.

The court was told Duxbury had been breached twice for failing to comply with the suspended sentence order and his supervising officer recommended a custodial sentence.

Richard Prew, defending, said very recently Duxbury had been found and his heart had stopped.

"He had to be revived by the police and it is clear his drinking is literally going to be the death of him if he doesn't do something about it," said Mr Prew.