A MAN blamed a lapse into shoplifting on a “blip” in his battle against alcoholism.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Frederick Sagar had been out of trouble for two years before the offences in June and there had been no repetition since.

Sagar, 53, of Greenhall, Great Harwood, pleaded guilty to theft of earbuds worth £80 from B&M Bargains in Blackburn and theft of spirits worth £100 from Tesco.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 compensation to Tesco.

Usmah Kausar, prosecuting, said Sagar had been stopped as he left B&M and the goods were recovered.

The Tesco offence was caught on CCTV and Sagar was identified from the footage.

She said Sagar had 166 theft offences on his record.

Gareth Price, mitigating, said his client was under no illusions that the primary aggravating factor was his record. 

“There was a gap of two years in his offending prior to these incidents, which he puts down to a lapse in his battle against alcoholism,” said Mr Price

“Since they were committed he has been through detox and has continued to work with Inspire and Red Rose Recovery.

"He has got his own flat and has now got his alcoholism back under control.”