A MAN "put his foot in it" by stealing a pair of socks just days after being put on probation for theft.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the latest offence was also committed in breach of a conditional discharge imposed towards the end of April, again for shoplifting.

Michael Andrew Francis, 23, of Brookway, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft of two pairs of socks worth £19 from BHS. The magistrates imposed a new community rehabilitation after hearing that the first appointment of the previous order was no until the following day.

Basharat Ditta, defending, asked the magistrates to give his client one last chance to show that he could work with the probation service.

"It seems as though he has put his foot in it by committing another offence so soon after being sentenced by this court," said Mr Ditta.

"He is a young man who had no convictions to his name until last September and now he has four. He needs to think before he acts."

Mr Ditta said Francis had been allowing another man to lodge at his house and the day after collecting his benefits he had woken to find the man and his money gone. He reported the matter to the police and applied for a crisis loan but was refused. "He admits taking these items to sell to try and tide him over until he got his next benefit cheque or until he found the other man," said Mr Ditta.