A MAN who kicked his drug habit and kept out of trouble for a decade returned to old ways in a bizarre fashion.

Blackburn magistrates heard Robert Anthony Bell was standing in a supermarket checkout queue with his trousers round his ankles.

And security staff recovered an unwrapped joint of beef which was hidden under his scarf.

Bell, 50, of Swift Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing beef worth £22 from Morrisons.

He was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £22 compensation, £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Paul Huxley, defending, said his client used to be a regular at court but had not appeared before the magistrates for 10 years.

"At that time he sat down and decided he was fed up with his lifestyle and that it was time to change," said Mr Huxley.

"With the help of various agencies he got clean and has remained so."

Mr Huxley said the latest incident came after Bell met an old acquaintance who gave him some valium.

"He doesn't really recall what happened after that although clearly it was not normal behaviour," said Mr Huxley.