A THIEF turned to crime when his baby daughter died and he started taking heroin, Burnley Crown Court heard.

James Mack, 30, was a criminal with a taste for the high life - he had helped himself to a tray of diamond rings, champagne and gift packs of stilton cheese and port from Marks and Spencer, said his counsel.

Mack, of Waterloo Road, Burnley, was sent to prison for six months. He pleaded guilty to four counts of theft, damaging property and two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Fiorella Brereton, prosecuting, said Mack took a £2,700 tray of diamond rings from Peters Jewellers, in Blackburn Road, Accrington. He also took a set of pans, worth £59.99, and head-butted a window.

Mack gave police another name and was cautioned. He later helped himself to cheese and port gift sets and again gave a false name.

Mack said he had given a false name because he was wanted in the south of England.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Mack had not offended until he was 26 or 27 and it was very unusual to get to that age and embark on a life of crime. He had not got the worst record in the world.

In 1995, the defendant's 22 month old daughter died of meningitis and within a short period of time, he had started to take heroin.

Mr Stuart said Mack could not claim benefits because he was wanted for other matters.

He was a man of some taste - taking diamond rings, champagne and port.

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