A FORMER "active criminal" raided a chicken takeaway shop after "falling off the wagon."

Father-of-two Stephen Marsden, 31, was feeling guilty about spending the family benefits on drink and helped himself to £35 worth of food on the way home, Burnley magistrates heard.

Marsden, whose partner is expecting another child, walked free from court, after the bench said he was being given "one last chance."

The defendant, of Warwick Drive, Padiham, was put on probation for six months, after admitting burglary, on February 21. Philip Potter, prosecuting, said Marsden kicked in the glass and took the food from the shop in Church Street, Padiham.

Nick Dearing, defending, said Marsden had one of the worst criminal records he had ever seen.

He had spent most of the previous 12 months sober, but since Christmas, had fallen off the wagon.

Marsden had gone out for a drink and spent all the benefits.

He rang up his pregnant partner, she made him feel bad about what he had done and he felt very guilty.

The offence was "clumsy, inept and opportunistic" and the defendant made no efforts to cover it up.

Mr Dearing added Marsden had been trying very hard to bring himself round in the past 12 months and was aware if he was sent to prison, he would have blown everything.

Marsden was trying to grow up and was sorry and embarrassed.

He added: "This was a one-off as opposed to a consistent pattern of offending. He was very much an active criminal in the past."

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