A THIEF made the "brave" decision to be sentenced before Christmas, when other offenders were trying to get out of it, Burnley magistrates heard.

Paul Wearden, 30, who completed only 14 hours of a 120 hour combination order imposed 18 months ago, knew he would be going to jail and wanted to get it over with, the court was told.

Wearden, of Melrose Avenue, Burnley, had been convicted of two counts of theft, failing to surrender and was in breach of a combination order. He was jailed for four months.

John Wood, prosecuting, said Wearden took a compact disc system worth £1,000 from a car and also stole five meat pies. When his home was searched, a small quantity of heroin and amphetamine was seized.

The court was also told in July 1998 the defendant was given a 120 hour combination order for burglary and handling stolen goods.

He failed to attend both probation and community service appointments .

Mark Williams, defending, said Wearden was staring custody in the face because he had not done the combination order. His father had been ill in hospital in Manchester and Wearden had problems with accommodation and drug misuse.

Wearden had kept out of trouble for three and a half years before the combination order. He was not as prolific an offender as it would at first appear.

Wearden had made the "brave decision" to be sentenced at a time of year when defendants would try to get cases adjourned and ask for pre-sentence reports. Mr Williams went on: "He says enough is enough, he will just get it over and done with. He accepts custody is inevitable."

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