AN EARLY morning visitor to Asda paid for his cereal but stole the milk and sugar to go with it.

And the fact John Crabtree was a ‘serial’ offender earned him a prison breakfast for at least the next three weeks.

Crabtree, 60, of George Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to stealing sugar and milk worth £1.41 from Asda.

He was jailed for 21 days for the offence, with another 21 days for being in breach of a suspended prison sentence imposed for three offences of shoplifting. The magistrates said Crabtree had a horrendous record for shoplifting, Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Crabtree was banned from Asda because of his history of shoplifting.

Security staff spotted him and searched him as he left.

Miss Allan said: “He had paid for a carrier bag, Weetabix and butter but not the milk and sugar.

“He said he didn’t think he had enough money to pay for everything but he had a £20 note in his pocket.”