A 26-year-old Blackburn man assaulted an assistant as she escorted him back to the shop where she had seen him filling his pockets with perfume, a court heard.

Blackburn magistrates heard Ian Crossland had taken one lot of scent but returned 15 minutes later. This time he was chased and detained.

Crossland, of Cherry Tree Lodge, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assault, obstructing police and two charges of theft. He was jailed for 73 days.

Claire Fanning, prosecuting, said the assistant and a colleague detained Crossland and were walking him back to the store. He grabbed her arm and pushed her away before running off.

Liz Parker said he client needed help with his drug addiction.