RICHARD Williams, 23, of Police Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to stealing two bottles of Champagne when he appeared before Blackburn magistrates.

He was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for 18 months with a condition that he attends an addressing substance related offending programme.

The magistrates also revoked a previous rehabilitation order imposed in January for three offences of shoplifting and the new order also covered those offences.

The court was told that after the first community order was made Williams failed to keep any of his appointments with the probation service and then committed the latest offence.

Emma Morrissey, defending, said Williams had a long-standing drug problem. He had previously instructed her not to apply for bail so he could stay in custody and begin the process of getting clean of drugs.

"He is now motivated to sort his problems out," said Miss Morrissey. "He can return to the Police Street hostel as a long-term resident and has the chance of a job and he is keen to put his drug habit behind him."