A MAN who broke into business premises fled wearing a jacket he had stolen – hotly pursued by a police officer.

Blackburn magistrates heard former soldier Liam Robert Tomlinson claimed he had been so drunk he had little recollection of the incident.

Tomlinson, 33, of Church Street, Newchurch, Rossendale, pleaded guilty to burglary at Whybee, and Manning’s Bakery, Waterfoot.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement. He was fined £45 with £85 costs and £95 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £250 compensation to Manning’s for damage to internal doors.

Janice Valance, prosecuting, said the alarm was activated at 4.10am and one of the key holders went with her husband to the units in Waterfoot.

“Her husband went in with the police and as she was sitting in the car she saw the defendant running out closely followed by a police officer,” said Miss Valance.

“He was wearing a body warmer which had been stolen from one of the units.”

David Leach, defending, said Tomlinson had served in the Royal Artillery and had done tours of Cyprus, Northern Ireland and then Afghanistan.

“In Afghanistan a number of his friends and colleagues were maimed and killed,” said Mr Leach.

“That led to quite a lot of problems and he developed a heroin habit while he was in the army.”

Mr Leach said Tomlinson had subsequently been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“There is clearly a mental health side to his behaviour,” said Mr Leach.

He said Tomlinson was on a methadone prescription.