A THIEF with 121 previous convictions has been banned from entering any retail shops while on bail after appearing in court for a string of offences.

Blackburn magistrates heard Michael Aspin, described in court as "probably the most prolific shoplifter in the whole of Blackburn and Hyndburn" had been labelled "unstoppable" but his offending had been slowed down by an Anti-social Behaviour Order (ASBO).

But now the order has expired he seemed to be making up for lost time and the prosecutor asked the magistrates to consider a new order if they proceeded to sentence.

Aspin, 28, of South Shore Street, Church, pleaded guilty to three offences of stealing T-shirts from Marks and Spencer in Accrington on July 12, 17 and 19.

He had been given a conditional discharge for theft by Hyndburn magistrates in May and was on bail for three offences of shoplifting which had been adjourned for assessment for a drug treatment and testing order.

Neil White, prosecuting, said: "The best word to describe Michael Aspin the thief is unstoppable. He has 121 previous convictions for theft, he is on bail for offences of theft and he faces three further offences of theft."

Mr White said that when Aspin committed the latest offences at Marks and Spencer he was subject to a condition of bail that he did not enter any self-service store in Hyndburn.

"He simply ignored that effort to stop him offending," said Mr White.

Ian Huggan, defending, said Aspin had had a great deal of difficulty and trauma in his life and had started taking heroin when he was 16 following the death of his father from a brain haemorrhage.

"That started him on the rocky road he has been treading for the last 12 years," said Mr Huggan. "This isn't what he wants to do and it isn't the life he wants to lead. He wants to get clear of drugs and appearing in court, but to do that he needs help."

Aspin was remanded on bail to appear at Hyndburn magistrates on August 6 when he will have been assessed for the drug treatment and testing order. But the magistrates stressed that even suitability for that order would not preclude a custodial sentence.