A PROLIFIC thief who had been having problems with his benefits was spotted trying to steal four meat joints from a supermarket by a security guard, a court heard.

Robert Paul Jackson, 40, was recognised by staff at Asda as he tried to walk out of the Princess Way store with the meat, Pennine magistrates were told.

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Jackson, of Ryland Street, Burnley, who has 65 convictions for 177 offences, admitted theft and was given a four-week curfew with a £150 criminal courts charge and £60 surcharge.

Defence solicitor Keith Rennison said Jackson’s main problem was his benefits had not been secured. Jackson told police he would have eaten one of the joints and sold the other three on.

Jackson, who had been in and out of prison over the past couple of years, had been relying on the charity of friends and family, the court heard.