A TEENAGE bar and cellarman from Accrington has finally freed himself from the drug culture which led to his offending and blighted his life, magistrates were told.

Shane Paul Dobson, l9, of Edmund Street, Accrington, was said to have gone through a period when he would have "taken anything he could lay his hands on," Cathy Inston, defending, told the Rochdale court.

"He had a bad drug problem, was scarcely aware of what he was doing, was involved with people in the drug culture," she told the court.

In this frame of mind he had stolen a bicycle and committed motoring offences.

Chairman of the bench John Wolfenden told Dobson: "Kicking drugs is about the only thing you have in your favour. You have wasted the court's time by not turning up at court in the past and we object to that."

Dobson was placed on probation for two years after he admitted stealing a pedal cycle worth £l0 and three offences of failing to answer bail.

He was fined £200, ordered to pay compensation of £l00 and £55 court costs, after he further admitted driving without due care and attention, and without insurance, a licence and test certificate.

Pre-sentence reports had been ordered at a previous hearing.

Martin McRobb, prosecuting, said Dobson had been under observation by police near a school in Heywood and arrested after riding off on a mountain bike. He claimed he had found it and intended riding home on it.

With respect to the motoring offences, he was arrested after reversing into a parked vehicle again in a Heywood street, causing nearly £400 worth of damage.

He claimed he had heard a woman scream "Watch my kids" and had swerved out of the way only to collide with another vehicle. He said he had waited until the police arrived at the scene.

He admitted having a previous record including a community service for 200 hours for offences of taking without consent and dishonesty.

Miss Inston said from a life without a future Dobson had decided not only to free himself from drugs but from all substances, including medication, and was now so anti-drugs he would not even take paracetamol.

He had come through a nervous breakdown, now had a partner and a home together, was in better health, with a positive outlook and working.

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