A MAN who came to Blackburn looking for a fresh start was arrested for shoplifting before he had even found somewhere to live.
Blackburn magistrates heard that Richard Almanti was caught leaving Focus Do It All with a set of door handles down his trousers.
Almanti, 35, of St Michael's Crescent, Leeds, pleaded guilty to theft. He was given a conditional discharge for 18 months and ordered to pay £65 costs.
Basharat Ditta, defending, said Almanti had been released from prison in June and decided to move away from Leeds and make a fresh start.
"He has friends in the Blackburn area and came to visit, thinking about moving there," said Mr Ditta.
"He is kicking himself for getting back into trouble and he knows that if he continues to offend he will go back to prison."
Almanti told the court that he still plans to move to Blackburn within the next two weeks.
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