A CALLOUS thief with an appalling record stole a girl's bike just two days after she received it as a Christmas present.

Sean Jackson, 21, of York Street, Leigh, snatched the bike after he saw the girl leave it outside a shop while she went inside to buy sweets.

At Bolton Crown Court, he had been due to stand trial on the theft but changed his plea on the day of the trial.

The court heard that the 11-year-old left her bike for a couple of minutes outside a shop in Oak Lane, Leigh.

Jackson saw the bike and took it but was recognised by the girl.

He denied the offence and the girl had to pick him out of an identity parade.

The court was told Jackson had committed the theft while on bail for other offences and had a significant drug problem.

Assistant Recorder John Corless said Jackson must have known it was Christmas present. He jailed him for three months. Jackson will serve half his sentence in jail, and the other half on licence, and will be free by Christmas.