JOHN Paul Joseph Mulchrone stole to try and pay off debts which built up following the birth of his second child.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the child spent the first four months of his life in intensive care and the strain had brought an end to the long term relationship between Mulchrone and the child's mother and also created a financial burden.

Mulchrone, 22, of Lynwood Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing razor blades worth £22 from Tesco and two bottles of vodka worth £28 from Asda.

He was made the subject of a community rehabilitation order for 12 months.

Basharat Ditta, defending, said Mulchrone had two children, aged four years and five months.

They had been the product of a long term relationship which had now ended.

The birth of the youngest child had been complicated and the baby had spent the first four months of his life in hospital.

"This placed a burden on the family," said Mr Ditta. "His partner spent much of her time at the hospital and there were numerous taxi fares.

"My client was basically stealing to pay off the debts that he incurred while the child was in hospital."