A MAN who committed several burglaries while under the influence of hard drugs, including stealing from the East Lancashire Hospice charity shop, has avoided jail.

Carl Campbell Poynton, 40, now of Stanley Street, Accrington, but formerly of Rawsthorne Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to five burglaries, one theft and one common assault, and was sentenced to a total of 14 months in prison suspended for two years.

Presiding over the case at Preston Crown Court, Judge Simon Medland said that class A drugs had ruined Poynton’s life and to hand him a prison sentence would be too easy for him to comply with, meaning he would be free to fall back into that lifestyle once released from prison.

Mr Medland said: “The sentence I am imposing is one that will be much more difficult to comply with but if you do comply with it it will give you much more chance in your battle with drugs.”

Medland was sentenced for numerous burglaries and thefts that were committed in Accrington town centre and Blackburn between March and May this year.

As well as stealing from the East Lancashire Hospice Charity Shop, he entered as a trespasser and stole from staff areas in Accrington’s Poundland and Fulton Foods, making off with handbags, purses and cash.

Poynton also pleaded not guilty to a robbery on May 10, instead pleading guilty to common assault and theft to the value of £210.

Mr Medland stated that Poynton must be placed under electronic curfew for two months and ordered him to undergo a drug rehabilitation requirement for 10 months.

He was also directed to complete 30 days of rehabilitation and 150 hours of unpaid work.

Mr Medland said: “At the end of the day it’s only you who can change.

“The probation service and the courts can help but it’s down to you to stop drugs from ruining your life.”