A 73-YEAR-old man, whose criminal record stretched back to the time of the Second World War, was caught stealing a set of drapes from TJ Hughes.
But defence solicitor Basharat Ditta asked magistrates not to make it 'curtains' for his client.
James Daniel Harvey, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to shoplifting and was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £20 costs.
Julie Reilly, prosecuting, said the incident had been captured on closed-circuit TV and Harvey had admitted responsibility.
"This is a man with a list of previous convictions dating back to the Second World War," said Mrs Reilly.
Mr Ditta said it had been an unsophisticated offence committed in drink.
"Despite the length of his record, I trust it will not be final curtains for him today," said Mr Ditta. "He was drunk and he doesn't know why he picked up the curtains."
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