A drug addict who went on a lead-stealing expedition with an accomplice was found on the roof of a mill by police.

Christopher Hardman, 33, had been taking 90mls of methadone, a £10 rock of cocaine and £20 worth of other drugs a day and had been a user since he was 13, Burnley magistrates heard.

The court was told the disused mill had become a target for theft, and tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage was said to have been caused over the time it had stood empty.

Hardman, of George Road, Ramsbottom, admitted theft from Edenwood Mill, Rose Bank, Stubbins, on October 31.

The defendant, who took a £100 haul of lead and has served time for possessing drugs with intent to supply, was given a 12 month community order, with 12 months supervision and a six month drug rehabilirarion requirement. He must also pay £75 costs.

Christiana Buchanan, prosecuting, told the court police found the defendant and a woman at the mill. The woman was putting lead into two holdalls, lead was scattered on the grass and the defendant was on the roof.

When the defendant was searched, he had numerous needles and "paraphernalia," for injecting heroin and a pipe for cocaine.

Brian Walsh, defending, said Hardman now regretted the opportunistic offence.