AN ex-soldier was put on probation for two years after pleading guilty at Blackburn magistrates to five offences of shoplifting.
The court heard the offences had been committed in Blackburn, Burnley, Blackpool and Wigan, at a time when Robert Donald Taylor's life had gone off the rails.
Stephen Parker, defending, said Taylor, 24, of the Salvation Army Hostel, Heaton Street, Blackburn, was a former soldier who reached the age of 22 without any convictions.
In a 12 month period he had gone "totally ballistic", said Mr Parker.
"He came out of the army and got heavily into debt and borrowed money from loan sharks.
"Up to his eyes in debt, he has then started offending."
Taylor told the court he was grateful to the Salvation Army, which had given him a great deal of help.
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