A DARWEN man who failed to take his chances to stay on the straight and narrow has been sent to prison for 18 months.

Jason Bingham broke into a static caravan, looking for keys to steal. He also carried out several shoplifting offences.

the 28-year-old of Police Street, Darwen, admitted a charge of burglary with intent to steal, plus two offences of theft. Two further thefts were taken into consideration.

Bingham had entered a static garage in the Longridge area, near Preston. He had carried out a search in a bid to find keys to a nearby vehicle, in order to travel to Blackburn.

The other offences included the theft of two video recorders from T J Hughes at Blackburn and the theft of drink from Tescos in the town. Those offences were caught on closed circuit TV.

Mr Philip Holden, defending, said Bingham had complied with probation for four or five months last year. He had been regarded as having made progress under the court order.

Passing sentence, Judge Peter Smith told Bingham he had been given chances in the past, but not responded to opportunities given him. "The message must get home to you, if you choose to offend you are going to prison."

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