REFORMING drug addict Paul Frank Almond earned the praise of his project workers -- for admitting that he had tried to steal their minibus and caused more than £1,100-worth of damage in the process.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Almond was living in accommodation provided by the THOMAS Project (Those on the Margins of Society) in Blackburn when he and two associates "hot-wired" the project transport.

As it set off the steering lock came on and the vehicle crashed into a garage causing £300-worth of damage to the van and £824 worth of damage to the garage.

Almond, 29, of Preston New Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without consent. He was remanded on bail until August 18 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports.