A 37-year-old man who admitted committing “despicable” offences of theft by stealing off his stepfather and taking a charity box collecting for a local hospice has been jailed for 16 weeks.

Blackburn magistrates heard Paul Cheetham had faked a burglary after stealing property worth £1,850 from his stepdad and was caught on CCTV when he stole the charity box from the Beechwood Garden Centre on Roman Road.

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And the court was told he had committed the offences at a time when he was in the “depths of despair.”

Cheetham, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to theft of property belonging to Peter Couch, stealing the charity box, and theft of aftershave from TK Maxx and Debenhams. He was jailed for a total of 16 weeks.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said on the day of the theft from his stepfather the two men had spent the day mountain biking.

When they returned home Cheetam said he was desperate for the toilet and went into the house leaving Mr Couch to take care of the bikes.

When his stepfather went into the house, drawers had been emptied, his empty wallet was on the bed and a rear window appeared to have been forced. Cheetham said he thought he had seen somebody running out of the back.

Mr Couch called the police to report a burglary but Cheetham later sent text messages to his mum admitting he had been responsible.

Damian Pickup, defending, said Cheetham had found himself in the depths of despair.

“When heroin addicts like my client are desperate they will go to desperate measures in order to supply their addiction,” said Mr Pickup.

He said Cheetham thought he had beaten his addiction and got his life back on track.

“He had his own business and his own house and was free of heroin. He had a relationship and everything was going well for him.”

Mr Pickup said the relationship broke down earlier this year and Cheetham started taking heroin again.

“He wants to combat his heroin problem again and accepts that he needs assistance,” said Mr Pickup.