A DRUG addict used Ramsbottom as his own personal place to steal, a court was told.

Appearing before Bury Magistrates, 34-year-old William Horrocks pleaded guilty to three charges of theft and also asked for three other identical matters to be taken into consideration.

All the offences took place in Ramsbottom on the day that Horrocks had been released after appearing before magistrates.

Prosecuting, Mark Humphries, said the first offence took place in May when, after posing as a customer, Horrocks entered the Co-op store in Irwell Street.

He helped himself to two bottles of vodka and left without paying.

Mr Humphries added that the matter was further aggravated by the fact that Horrocks had been chased by a member of staff.

When approached he responded by threatening the shop worker with one of the bottles before escaping.

A few weeks later Horrocks, of Ribble Drive, Bury, was again seen stealing in Ramsbottom. This time getting away with £100 worth of cigarettes.

Eventually, the bench was told, he was interviewed by police and admitted the string of further offences, even helping to clear up other offences of theft which had taken place.

However, the same day that he appeared in court and was released on bail with a condition not to enter the town, Horrocks left the dock and simply returned to commit more crime.

This time he entered the Kwik Save store, picked up a £70 television which was still in its box, and simply walked out.

He was seen by a member of staff and asked what he was doing. He replied that it was just an empty box.

He then placed the box on the floor and went to leave the store.

Eventually staff persuaded Horrocks to return where he waited until police arrived.

Horrocks, who told the court he stole to feed his drugs habit, was given a drugs treatment and testing order for 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay compensation of £114.14.