RELEASED prisoner Carl Cumberland helped himself to a haul including frozen fish, pies and sausages during a burglary at a Blackburn chippy.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Cumberland forced the door of Longshaw Street Chippy in the early hours and also took a television, a cash till and a CD player.

Cumberland, 22, of Cleveleys Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to burglary. He was committed in custody to Preston Crown Court for sentence after the magistrates were told he had been released from prison less than two weeks before the offence and still had eight months of the sentence to run.

Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said that after removing the property from the shop Cumberland had left it at a house in Infirmary Street.

Police were told who was responsible for leaving the property and officers were outside his house when he pulled up in a car.

He drove off but was arrested after a chase. When interviewed Cumberland said he had taken alcohol, ecstasy and tamazipam and could remember little of what happened.

Stephen Parker, defending, said his client was realistic about the outcome of the proceedings. He said on the evening of the offence Cumberland had been with friends and a large amount of alcohol had been consumed.

"Ecstasy and temazepan were handed round and he foolishly accepted some," said Mr Parker.