A SHOPKEEPER was forced to defend himself and his property after a drunken man came in and tried to steal from him.

Blackburn magistrates hear Paul Smith threw a punch at the shop owner and pushed him when he stopped him stealing alcohol.

The court heard Smith also tried to steal a charity box, which was chained to the counter, and then attempted to take the till.

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Smith, of Lynwood Avenue, Darwen, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour and attempted theft from the Two Trees Off Licence in Granville Road and two charges of shoplifting. He was sentenced to 30 weeks in custody.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Smith had gone into the One Stop Shop, picked up two crates of beer and walked out without making any attempt to pay. Three days later he went into Lock Mill service station, picked up two bottles of cider and left without paying, waving at the shop assistant as he left.

When he went into the Two Trees Off Licence he was clearly drunk and the owner knew he was going to be trouble. Smith asked for 10 cigarettes but didn't have enough money and then tried to barge past the owner to get behind the counter and get to the alcohol.

Miss Allan said the shopkeeper refused to let him behind and Smith threw a punch at him before trying to steal the charity box. He then pushed the trader before picking up the till which eventually fell to the floor.

“He then just walked out of the shop,” said Miss Allan.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said alcohol was a major issue for his client.

"He remembers little about the offences," said Mr Taylor. “When he is on a binge it is destructive for him and a nuisance for the public.”