A DRUG-addicted thief who allowed his mother to cash his benefits book while he was in jail is awaiting sentence.

Burnley magistrates heard Axis Robertson, 29, had been serving three months behind bars but she had not known.

She then got £109.30 he was not entitled to and kept it as she claimed she was owned the money.

The defendant later claimed if his mother had known where he was, she would not have cashed his book.

Robertson, who also went out shoplifting and struggled with police when they turned up at his home to arrest him, was remanded in custody until June 30 for probation reports.

The defendant, then of Poplar Street, Nelson, admitted theft, police obstruction and making a false representation to obtain benefits.

Bill Maude, prosecuting, told the court a Nelson Kwiksave employee chased after the defendant after he tried to steal a boxed television set worth £89.

Robertson dropped the TV in Scotland Road and police later went to his house to arrest him.

The defendant was "highly agitated," started shouting and screaming, struggled and hurled abuse as officers tried to handcuff him.

Robertson's mother tried to pull police away from her son and the defendant tried to swing a punch at an officer.

Robertson was finally pulled on to the settee and handcuffed.

He then started to kick the windows in the police vehicle and a secure van had to be brought to take him into custody.

He gave a no comment interview at the police station.

David Leach, defending, said Robertson, who had 45 previous convictions, felt he would be going to jail.

He had a long standing drug habit which had increased over the last few weeks and his mother would no longer let him live at her home.