A DRUNKEN man who entered a shed and stole a bag of women's underwear which was waiting to be washed has been jailed.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard how when he woke up the following day Gary Stephen Goodill was puzzled to find the knickers and other garments in his home.

Goodill, 47, of Heys Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to burglary and theft of Anne Summers, Victoria Secrets and Primark underwear and other items of clothing with a value of between £150 and £200.

He was jailed for 18 weeks and ordered to pay £150 compensation and £128 victim surcharge on release.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said the shed, at an address in Blackburn, was used as a utility room. When the owner got up in the morning she noticed the door was open and the bag of washing was missing.

"CCTV showed the defendant climbing over a rear fence and then stealing the clothing," said Mr Robinson.

Damien Pickup, in mitigation, said his client had been doing his best to turn his life around and things had been looking up.

"His mother died at the end of last year and that hit him hard," said Mr Pickup.

"He spiralled back into heavy use of alcohol and drugs. On the night of this offence he was under a concoction of alcohol and Class A drugs."

Mr Pickup said the victim posted the CCTV footage of Facebook and appealed for help identifying his client.

"He immediately made contact and asked for the opportunity to explain," said Mr Pickup. "She was not minded to agree and contacted the police."