A drug addict was warned by a judge to give up heroin - or else he would not reach 40.
Nigel Canning, 37 - who had gone out stealing - told Burnley magistrates he was trying to kick his addiction.
District Judge David Goodman gave him a chance to prove he meant business and warned if he flouted the order he was making, he would go to jail.
The judge told the defendant: "Maybe this is the first step to growing up at 37."
He added the defendant could be guaranteed two things if he carried on taking drugs and offending - he would be going to prison and he would be dead before he got to 40.
The judge continued:" Heroin kills. Make no mistake about that."
Canning, of Hobart Street, Burnley, admitted two counts of stealing from shops and one of failing to surrender.
He was given a 12 month community order, to include the Addressing Substance Related Offending Programme.
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