A MAN calmly walked into a store, collected £156 worth of goods and then attempted to leave without paying for them.

But security staff at Woolworths store stopped Jonathan Hodson who claimed he was going to get his debit card from a friend's car.

Then, a month after he had been released on bail, he was caught red-handed trying to steal a bottle of spirits from a Farnworth shop.

Hodson, aged 28, of Church Road, Kearsley, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence yesterday. He admitted two counts of theft.

Defending, Amanda Johnson said that Hodson had been in custody since July 12 after being arrested on a warrant.

He started using heroin when he was 22 years-old and had quickly become hooked.

He had undergone a detoxification programme while on remand and had tested negative for drugs since.

He was supported by his family and by his girlfriend.

Judge Lindsey Kushner QC said there was no alternative left open to her except to impose a sentence of custody.

But she reduced the sentence to one of nine months after she heard he had made a huge effort to wean himself off drugs.