Alcoholic thief jailed for breach of ASBO (From Blackburn Citizen)

3:32pm Monday 3rd September 2007

A DRUNK who went shoplifting, breaching an anti-social behaviour order is behind bars - to give the community a rest.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Paul Ainsworth, 48, had a long record of petty crime, usually stealing from shops or being drunk and disorderly.

He was jailed for 12 months, after helping himself to a £2.99 bottle of wine and flouting the order a fifth time.

The defendant, of Henry Street, Church, had admitted theft and breaching the ASBO and had been committed for sentence by Hyndburn Magistrates.

Judge Jonathan Woolman told the court that locking the defendant up would give the community a rest.

He went on: "Undoubtedly the local community do get fed up with people who constantly steal."

Francis McEntee, prosecuting, said the defendant's record was a "litany of petty offending" and drink appeared to play a real part.

Martin Hackett, defending, said Ainsworth was an alcoholic.

He had been on remand in custody 39 days and was "perfectly lucid" in the cells before court.

The barrister went on: "It's just when he gets drunk. He realises that's when the problems start."

Mr Hackett said the defendant had brought up the possibility of rehabilitation, but the probation service doubted his motivation.

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