A 27-YEAR-OLD "persistent offender" escaped a prison sentence after admitting he had breached an anti-social behaviour order.

Michael Aspin cheered as he left court after magistrates told him he was being given one last chance.

Aspin, of South Shore Street, Accrington, also admitted charges of theft and assault, and was made the subject of a drug treatment order.

The three-year order was imposed in March 2001 covering offences including theft and threatening behaviour, but the court heard Aspin had stolen socks from Asda, Accrington, last month.

When he was apprehended by the security manager and other staff, Aspin became aggressive and abusive, and punched and kicked one of the staff, magistrates heard.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said it took several members of staff to restrain Aspin, who had previous convictions for shoplifting from last year. "He is a persistent offender," she said.

Carl Gaffney, defending, said his client had a lengthy crime history and his life had been a "wholesale waste of time.

"He is a creature of some pity, he has had a pitiful existence. He doesn't want to go back to prison. He's desperate not to go back. I have told him if he commits more offences he is going back to prison. I don't think there's any room for manoeuvre."

The chairman of the bench said: "We realise that the breach of the anti-social behaviour order is a very serious matter and that the general public would expect us to send you to prison right away.

"However, having taken into consideration all the things that have been said on your behalf, and having looked at all the previous disposals that have been made, including imprisonment for your numerous offences, we have decided to take the risk of imposing a drug treatment order for 12 months.

"This is your last chance. If you fail to comply with this, you are going to prison for a long time because the public and the stores and everyone you affect have to be protected."