A THIEF who helped himself to an amplifier from a car has been sent to jail after magistrates told him he had failed to comply with community penalties in the past.

The Burnley bench heard Jason McCourt, 26, had planned the offence, had an extensive criminal record of similar offending and struck one month after being given a conditional discharge.

McCourt, of Keighley Avenue, Colne, admitted theft and was sent to prison for two months.

Lyn Slater, defending, said McCourt was well known to the police and had offended in the past while under the influence of illegal substances.

He had been a prolific offender but there had been a period of 15 months where he had not offended. He had made significant improvements in his lifestyle and had returned to his family who were helping him. McCourt had been trying to get off drugs for 18 months.

Mrs Slater said the defendant was now in good health, but was vulnerable and needed help. He had shown a remarkable willingness to try to turn his life around.