A HEROIN addict who persistently stole to finance his habit was jailed for six months by Blackburn magistrates.

The court was told that Ian Gibbons felt "ashamed and embarrassed" at having let down the numerous people who had tried to help him.

But Michael Blacklidge, defending, said there was still hope for his client who desperately wanted to rid himself of his habit.

Gibbons, 35, of Oban Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to five offences of shoplifting and breach of a drug treatment and testing order imposed for a further three offences of shoplifting.