A THIEF with a £30-a-day drug habit was given a "very last chance" by magistrates who said they nearly sent him to jail.

The Burnley bench, who had heard Stuart Watson, 23, had hit rock bottom, told him the only way was up. They added they had been very lenient and warned him to take the opportunity with both hands.

Watson, of Caldervale Guest House, Holme Road, Burnley, had admitted three counts of theft and one of failing to surrender.

He was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order, disqualified from driving for six months after being convicted of motoring allegations, and must pay £50 compensation.

The court was told Watson helped himself to two boxes of Christmas lights, gammon and cheese from a supermarket and cans of oil from a service station.

He told police he needed to steal to fund his drug habit.

John Greenwood, defending, said Watson had an appalling record and it was his fifth time before the court this year.

His drug habit was "horrendous," and Watson who had accommodation problems, had offended while on bail and appreciated he was in a very serious position.

Watson's sister's baby, a 13-month-old child, had died from a cot death at the weekend, his mother was returning to Burnley to live earlier than she had planned and she hoped to be able to give the defendant a home before the end of the week. He was anxious to go to the funeral of his the baby and give his sister as much support as he could.

Mr Greenwood urged the court to give Watson one last opportunity to take the benefit of the help on offer to him -- but if for no other reason than to give his sister the support she needed at the moment.

The defendant could not complain if he was sent to prison.