A DRUG addicted couple went out to steal a cuddly teddy bear, cards and a picture frame on St Valentine's Day.

Burnley magistrates heard Graham Percival and Beverley Smith, both 33, also helped themselves to clothing worth £60 from a Burnley store on the same day.

Mother-of-three Smith handed police the toy and cards from Clinton Cards after they were arrested stealing the clothing.

Percival told officers he had been planning to pay for the items from the card shop but thought he would take them and save his money.

Smith, of Scarlett Street, Burnley, had 37 previous convictions and Percival, of Trinity Towers, Burnley, had 13 convictions. Each admitted two counts of theft.

Smith was given a 12 months conditional discharge. Percival, who was in breach of a conditional discharge, had a warrant backed for bail issued by the bench after his case was stood down and he failed to return.

John Greenwood, defending, said Smith had handed goods to the police which they had not even known were stolen.

They both had had very bad drug habits and, even though they had sought help. were not even on the waiting list for treatment because of the extent of the problem in Burnley.

If Smith was pregnant, she would get the help she needed.

Both defendants were on methadone and would stay on it until they were able to get proper treatment.

Mr Greenwood said drugs had taken over the defendants' lives and both were in dire financial circumstances.