A PROLIFIC thief who broke into a McDonald's delivery van outside court – just two minutes after he walked out of court – has now been jailed.

Bernard Rawstron stole a wallet, a mobile phone and a sat nav – worth a total of £1,000 – from the van in Northgate, Blackburn, at 4.30pm.

The 44-year-old had only just left court after pleading guilty to two charges of vehicle interference in Clitheroe and using threatening behaviour.

Catherine Allen, prosecuting, said Rawstron had shown 'complete contempt' to the court by carrying out the offence so soon after being sentenced.

The court was told Rawstron, of Leach Street, Blackburn, broke into the unlocked van while the McDonald's worker was carrying out a delivery.

CCTV footage showed Rawstron step into the van and then leave with the stolen goods.

Ms Allen said: "The McDonald's employee was just a working person going about his normal business.

"He was making a delivery and Rawstron saw the unlocked van and stole his phone and Tom Tom sat van.

"It was reported to the police and CCTV showed him stepping into the van. He was arrested shortly after.

"It has affected the employee's ability to work and caused him inconvenience.

"It took place two minutes from leaving court. It shows complete contempt to the court."

Mark Williams, defending, said Rawstron accepted his actions would lead him to a custodial sentence.

Rawstron pleaded guilty to the charge of theft from motor vehicle and was given a 16-week prison sentence.

He was also ordered to pay £115 in compensation to the victim.

The court was told Rawstron could not pay the full amount because he remains in debt to the court services.

The offence had taken place just minutes after he was sentenced for interfering with vehicles in Clitheroe and was captured on CCTV.

When officers saw the footage they immediately recognised Rawstron as the man trying door handles in the early hours.

The court was told Rawstron had 73 convictions or 180 offences on his record and had been jailed in January for theft from motor vehicles.