A MAN with an appalling record of stealing stole a girl's bike two days after she received it as a Christmas present.

Sean Jackson saw the girl leave the bike outside a shop and then snatched it while she was buying sweets inside.

Jackson, aged 21, of York Street, Leigh, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence. He had been due to stand trial accused of the theft but changed his plea on the day of the trial.

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

The girl saw Jackson, who after his arrest denied the offence. He continued to deny the offence and only admitted his guilt on the day of his trial.

The court was told that Jackson had committed the theft while on bail for other offences and that he 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 of the sentence in jail and the other half will be on licence, which means he will be freed before Christmas.