REFORMED drug addict Russell De La Rue was haunted by ghosts from the past when he returned to live in Blackburn.

The towns magistrates heard that De La Rue, who was being pressurised to repay old drug debts, had found a guardian angel who had paid his creditors and provided him with a home.

And Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, who linked the case to the festive season, asked the magistrates to play Father Christmas by dealing with De La Rue by way of some kind of discharge.

De La Rue, 28, of Mosley Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing whisky and vodka from Morrisons. He was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £65 costs.

Mr Church-Taylor said that as the Christmas period approached he hoped the magistrates would permit reference to ghosts of the past.

He said De La Rue had been free from heroin for 18 months and had moved away from Blackburn to get away from his old associates and old habits.

He had moved to Fleetwood with a young lady, but their relationship had failed and he had moved back to his home town.

"Unfortunately, he was visited by people he owed money to from some considerable time ago and he just was not able to pay it back as quickly as they demanded," said Mr Church-Taylor.