A SHOPLIFTER was jailed for 63 days by Blackburn magistrates when he admitted two offences.

The court heard that Dale Bottomley had struggled to re-establish himself since being released from prison in September and both offences has been committed to feed himself.

Bottomley, 24, of Mosley Street, pleaded guilty to stealing baby wipes from the BP service station on Grimshaw Park in October and stealing digital camera and camcorder batteries worth £127 from Jessops on Christmas Eve. He was jailed for 49 days for those offences with a further 14 for failing to answer bail.

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said Bottomley had initially gone to Burnley on his release from prison and then moved to Blackburn where he tried to sign on for benefits.

"He was not successful and when his application for a crisis loan was refused he stole to feed himself," said Mr Church-Taylor.

"He accepts a custodial sentence will be imposed."