A man caught stealing a vacuum cleaner committed a second offence without leaving the store.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Joshua Whalley was detained at Asda after stealing a Henry vacuum cleaner worth £200.

Police attended and interviewed him in the store and released him to be summonsed to court at a later date.

As he was leaving the Rawtenstall store he stole food and drink items worth £11.25 and was again detained by staff.

This time police kept him in custody to appear in court.

Whalley, 25, of Woodlea Road, Waterfoot, pleaded guilty to two charges of shoplifting.

He was made subject to a 12-month community order with a six-month alcohol treatment requirement and a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Graeme Tindall, prosecuting, said Whalley had been released from prison eight days before the offences.

Mark Williams, in mitigaton, said his client had received 10 custodial sentences in the last two years, two of them suspended.

“People like him come out of prison and the offending starts before they have chance to get their life back on track,” said Mr Williams.

He said after being caught stealing the vacuum Whalley didn’t leave the store before committing the second offence.

“He gave a statement to the police in the back office and on his way out took the property the subject to the second charge,” said Mr Williams. “He was immediately arrested.”