A MAN who travelled to Blackburn for two shoplifting sprees has been jailed.

Blackburn magistrates heard Sean Finn stole over £400 worth of property from four stores on the Townsmoor retail park on his first visit.

On his next trip he was stopped by police carrying a big bag.

Finn, 38, of Pryce Street, Bolton, pleaded guilty to seven charges of shoplifting and one of going equipped for theft with a screwdriver and a pair of scissors. He was jailed for 12 weeks and ordered to pay £128 victim surcharge on release.

Adam Bonney, prosecuting, said Finn had 21 convictions for 86 offences and all but seven were for theft.

“At the time of these offences he was subject to prison licence,” said Mr Bonney.

“He is a persistent offender and both these occasions amounted to sprees.”

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client had reverted to old ways when he was short of money because of problems with his benefits.