LESS than half an hour after being given a chance to put his life in order Francis Taylor was caught shoplifting again in a curtain shop.

But Blackburn magistrates heard Taylor committed the offence deliberately to get arrested after having second thoughts about his ability to beat drug and alcohol addictions.

The court was told that Taylor changed his mind as he walked out of custody and decided his best chance of rehabilitation lay in another prison sentence.

District Judge Paul Firth released Taylor on bail on Tuesday after hearing that he wanted to beat his addictions. He said the ball was in Taylor,s court and removed bail conditions that banned him from entering any retail outlet.

But half an hour later Taylor was arrested in Creative Curtains on Penny Street.

Kevin Preston, defending, said that when the judge had given him a chance, Taylor had been keen to take advantage.

"He was very happy that you had given him a chance," said Mr Preston.

"However, as he walked into the police station yard going through his head was the thought that he had a bottle of drink at his home and some heroin. He knew he was going to go back to his home and take both."

Mr Preston said Taylor was keen to get into a rehabilitation unit but knew that would not be possible until he was clean.

"He tells me he went to a shop where he was well known, where he would be watched and he just waited to be caught," said Mr Preston.

The judge said Taylor effectively tied his hands as to what sentence he imposed.

Taylor of Bolton Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing the curtains. The previous day he had admitted theft of chocolate from Thornton,s and resisting a police officer. He was sentenced to a total of 70 days in prison.