A 32-YEAR-OLD man took a short cut back to prison by committing a further offence within minutes of leaving court.

Blackburn magistrates heard Nawaz Khan was due to be recalled on prison licence.

But when he appeared before the court for shoplifting on Monday the necessary paperwork had not been completed and he was given a conditional discharge and told the police would be calling to arrest him.

He took matters into his own hands and went shoplifting at Asda and when he was put before the court the following day was jailed for seven days.

Khan, of Preston New Road, pleaded guilty to shoplifting.

The court heard when Khan first appeared in court he was aware he was going to be recalled to prison.

He had brought his bag with him and was surprised when he was not locked up straight away.

Basharat Ditta, defending, said the original prison recall would have been for 28 days.

But the second offence meant his client could be detained until the end of his sentence in August.