A TEENAGER was jailed for a total of four months when he appeared before magistrates.

Michael David Haworth, 18, of Elgin Crescent, Burnley, admitted offences of shoplifting at Boots and Debenhams.

Jason David Tattersall, 19, of Duke Street, Burnley, also pleaded guilty to theft and sentence was adjourned.

Blackburn magistrates heard that they had both been released on bail while pre-sentence reports were prepared. In the meantime Haworth had stolen a handbag from a woman in a Burnley shop and been found in possession of heroin.

He had appeared at Burnley magistrates for those offences and they were remitted to Blackburn for sentence.

Stipendiary magistrate Jonathon Finestein said Haworth had a formidable record for someone of 18 years of age. He said: "Only last August, for a variety of offences including robbery, you were given 12 months.

"Quite clearly the problem in this case is your addiction to that wretched and terrible drug heroin."

Paul Schofield, defending, said Haworth had a terrible problem with heroin, going back to when he was only 15.

"That habit, at the time of his arrest, amounted to £60 a day and there is no doubt that heroin is his downfall," said Mr Schofield.

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