A RAZOR thief who flouted a court order kept his freedom - and was told by magistrates he had had a "very close shave."

The Burnley bench heard how drug addict Anthony Hillary John Franklin, 34, went stealing in Boots store with a lined carrier bag which would not set off the electronic tag designed to stop shoplifters.

Franklin, who has previously been to a rehabilitation centre, told the court he could not settle as people were attending a drop-in centre there and offering drugs to him and other residents.

Franklin, of Branch Street, Burnley, admitted four counts of failing to comply with a community rehabilitation order and two of stealing from shop premises.

He was given an 18-month community rehabilitation order and told to pay £290 compensation to Boots.

Geoff Ireland, defending, said in the earlier part of the first rehabilitation order, Franklin had been doing well.

He had considerable difficulties with drugs and felt he needed help and assistance.

The defendant had been to a rehabilitation centre, but that did not work. He wanted to sort out his habit.