A 28-year-old drug addict who repeatedly offended to feed his habit was jailed for four months by Blackburn magistrates.

The court heard Craig Southworth was on bail for eight other offences when he was caught stealing a toaster from Woolworths on Saturday.

Southworth, of Railton Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and obstructing a police officer in July, failing to surrender to bail, theft of perfume and a camera worth £174 from Boots, possession of crack cocaine and heroin in February, theft of razor blades worth £23 from Morrisons; theft of a camera from Boots in Bolton in May and theft of the toaster from Woolworths.

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said the offences spoke for themselves and the dishonesty matters were all committed to support the addiction to heroin and crack cocaine.

He said that when in custody Southworth endeavours to keep away from drugs but when he is released the basic problem is unresolved.

"This is not a case where all hope should be abandoned and I suggest that every attempt should be made to help him beat the problem," said Mr Church-Taylor.