A THIEF who told a shop security officer he had a knife, made off and dived into a canal to escape – but swam into the arms of the law, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told how how prolific crook Darren Wrighton, 33, tried to hide in some bushes when he got to the other side, but police had been called and found him straight away.

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Jobless Wrighton had been challenged by security staff after he pinched bedding to the tune of almost £30 from T K Maxx, in the town.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said the defendant had started taking the security tag off.

He told a guard: “Listen, I have got a knife in here.”

He then started to reaching into his trouser pocket.

The hearing was told he got out of the store after frightening the worker and was followed to the canal, where he was seen leaping in.

The defendant, of Forest Street, Burnley, admitted theft of the bedding worth £29.99 and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, on September 23.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for six months and must pay an £80 victim surcharge.

Bench chairman Stephen Riley said Wrighton’s victim was a public servant and added: “You have a terrible record in the past.”