SHORTLY after appearing on two charges of failing to answer bail Lee Duffy made it a hat-trick when he absconded from the court corridor.

Duffy, 27, of Pendle House, Blackburn, appeared from custody to face two charges of shoplifting as well as the two bail offences. The magistrates announced that they were considering a probation order and stood the matter down to see if Duffy was suitable. He was released from the dock to be interviewed by a probation officer and returned to sit at the back of the court. However, when his case was called back Duffy had left the building and at the end of the morning the magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest. Duffy had pleaded guilty to stealing a pram worth £90 from Mothercare and jackets worth £66 from British Home Stores.

Kevin Preston, defending, said Duffy's offending had been motivated entirely by drugs but that his cousin, who he had been brought up with, had recently died of an overdose. "That has brought home to him what might happen if he continues to take heroin," said Mr Preston.

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