A shoplifter wasted no time getting back to "work" after being released by police.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Richard Evans was charged at 3.50pm at Greenbank police station and 35 minutes later was caught on CCTV stealing from a shop in Darwen.

Evans, 32, of Police Street, Darwen, admitted stealing two electric razors worth £296 from Boots and perfume and after-shave worth £20 from Qualitysave. He was bailed pending a pre-sentence report.

Philip Potter, prosecuting, said Evans had been arrested shortly after stealing the razors but he had already sold them along with the perfume and after-shave.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client had been a respectable member of society until recently.

He added: "The reason for his sudden fall from grace is drugs.

"He is in the early stages of a drug problem and accepts that he needs to get help so that he can get his life back on track."