A MAN was charged with a shop burglary nine months later on the strength of DNA tests on blood found at the scene.

Mark Hodkinson, 33, of Whitendale Crescent, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing £270 from a shop in Penny Street, Blackburn.

He was ordered to do 100 hours community punishment and pay £270 compensation and £60 costs.

Daniel King, defending, said Hodkinson was being sentenced 14 months after the offence. "Since then he has undergone the STOP programme, he is working and he has made tremendous progress," said Mr King.

"The pre-sentence report suggests that he has realised it is time to put offending behaviour behind him."