FRANCIS Anthony Taylor's decline into drink, drugs and crime was blamed on a series of personal tragedies when he appeared at Blackburn magistrates court.

But district judge Paul Firth drew a line under the sympathy card and sent Taylor to prison for the first time.

Taylor, 34, of Linden Crescent, Darwen, pleaded guilty to stealing a gold plated shower fitment worth £320 from Travis Perkins Trading Co, George Street, Darwen, and was sent to prison for 28 days.

Pat Bramley, prosecuting, said Taylor went into the store and inquired about the shower fitment and was given a brochure.

Shortly after he was seen to remove the equipment and leave without making any attempt to pay.

Jonathon Taylor, defending, said Taylor had not started offending until after his 30th birthday. His wife and child were killed in a car crash and then his father and mother had died shortly after each other.

"He was feeling very isolated and it was then that his offending behaviour began," said Mr Taylor.

"He was a fairly successful man before the drink took over and he went from alcohol to soft drugs and then heroin. He has suffered a great deal of personal grief that has led to him being where he is today."

The court heard that Taylor was put on probation in March for shoplifting, given a conditional discharge for 12 months in February for shoplifting and had been given two conditional discharges and put on probation for two years for three shoplifting offences that came before the court last year.