A MAN who stole a £2 sandwich from Marks and Spencer ate it before security staff caught up with him, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Patrick Jason Carrington still had the crumbs around his mouth when he was detained.

Carrington, 26, of the Salvation Army Hostel, Heaton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to shoplifting and possession of cannabis.

He was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £2 compensation and £50 costs. Michael Blacklidge, defending, said Carrington first appeared in court when he was 25 years of age.

"Since then things have gone terribly wrong for him," said Mr Blacklidge.

"The prison sentence imposed on him in October followed a period when he didn't have an address and he had been remanded in custody.

"He has since been living at various addresses and there have been problems with his benefits."