A MAN whose partner cheated on him with his best friend while he was working away went into a downward spiral, which eventually led him to heroin, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Michael Edward Jones had already received two 12-month prison sentences as a result of his decline.

And Louise Voce, defending, urged the magistrates not to extend the current sentence he is serving after he pleaded guilty to burglary at the Red Lion pub at the time it was being refurbished.

Jones, 28, of Peronne Crescent, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to burglary. He was sentenced to three months in jail to run concurrent to his current sentence, which will not affect his release date in early February.

The court heard that police called to the Red Lion in May found Jones hiding in the attic. He told them he was going to take some paint

Miss Voce said Jones worked as a contractor and, during one spell away, his girlfriend started an affair with his best friend.

"She moved out and set up with the other man and that had a disastrous affect of my client," said Miss Voce. She said Jones was now clear of heroin and planned to resume his work when he was released from jail.