A THIEF who stole a security camera to pay off a drugs debt has been jailed for three months.

Nicholas Charles Binns, 29, had also flouted a drug treatment and testing order, Burnley magistrates heard.

Sentencing him, the bench told the defendant that he had failed to comply with previous court orders and he had a record for stealing.

Binns, of Cog Lane, Burnley, admitted theft and six counts of failing to comply with a drug treatment and testing order.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, told the court the defendant took the camera, worth £160, from Express Freight Solutions.

He was later arrested, said he owed £60, men were constantly calling at his home for money and he lived with his elderly mother.

Binns had 40 previous convictions, 32 of them for theft.

Richard Taylor, defending, said Binns was told by others that he would have to steal the camera.

He would rather have done that than sell heroin.

He had stopped taking illicit substances and had no more difficulties.

It was his first breach of the DTTO and the probation service were prepared to put their faith in him.