HEROIN addict Warren Melling asked magistrates to lock him up so that he would have the chance to make a fresh start.

Blackburn magistrates were told that Melling saw it as the only way he could clear himself of the drug that was dragging him down.

Melling, 21, of St Clement Street, Blackburn, had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to three offences of theft and the case had been adjourned for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

In the meantime Melling had appeared in court again and admitted a burglary in commercial premises.

That matter had been adjourned to the same date and Melling remanded on conditional bail.

Roger Pickles, defending, said: "What my client is asking you to do is remand him in custody so that the report can be finished," said Mr Pickles.

"He has been quite frank and said that he is taking heroin and he can't stop taking heroin.

"He says that he needs to go into custody to detoxify and then, when he is finally dealt with for these matters, he can make a fresh start."