A THIEF given a drug testing and treatment order would find it harder than jail, his solicitor told magistrates.

The Burnley bench heard how prison held no fear for John Waldron, 32, and that was the easier option for him.

Waldron, who has 143 previous convictions, went out shoplifting soon after his release from custody and on one occasion was bailed by a court and went straight to Asda to try and pinch some meat.

Waldron, of Cutler Lane, Stacksteads, admitted four counts of theft and one of attempted theft. He was given a 12-month drug testing and treatment order by the bench who told him if he did not give up drugs, he faced either longer jail terms or death.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Waldron was released from prison at the end of March and offended in April.

Janet Sime, defending, said Waldron offended, went to jail, came out again and was back to square one.

He was a long-term drug user and had now reached the age where he realised it was time to change. He had never got to that point before.

Prison did not work for the defendant and held no fear. A drug testing and treatment order was a harder prospect than custody as Waldron was going to have to adopt a routine he had never had before.