A DRUG user from Bolton who had been told there would be no more chances after shoplifting in Rochdale and Bolton, failed to attend court after committing a further offence during the period of a deferred sentence.

Magistrates at Rochdale yesterday ordered a warrant without bail for the arrest of Frank Edward Ashworth, 26, of Winson Close, Great Lever, who had been subject to a three-month deferred sentence, due for hearing on June 22, for stealing jeans worth £160 from a Rochdale town centre store, and compact discs worth £32 from HMV in Bolton.

In the meantime, he is alleged to have stolen electrical equipment worth £280 from Curry's in Bolton.

On his last appearance before Rochdale magistrates, Ashworth admitted committing offences in the past to fund his heroin addiction, but claimed he had come off drugs during 10 days in custody in Strangeways. He had stolen afterwards because of financial necessity and not for drugs. Ashworth's previous record included imprisonment.