Drug addict Russell Peter Stansfield had also stolen from a woman customer on his round after she allowed him to use her toilet, Pennine magistrates heard.

The defendant, who had never been in trouble before, admitted theft in a house, possessing a knife blade in public, failing to surrender to bail and damage.

Stansfield (33), of Albert Road, Colne, was given 12 weeks in jail, suspended for a year, with supervision, and must pay £92 compensation and £80 costs.

Mr Stephen Parker (prosecuting) said the defendant took a razor from the customer who had helped him in the past and breached her trust.

Police received reports of a man said to be carrying a knife in Colne at 3 p.m. When Standfield was searched in Market Street an eight-inch bladed kitchen knife was found down his sock.

Stansfield told police he had been to his parents' home to collect his washing, found the knife on a barbecue in the back yard and put it down his sock on the way home.

The defendant had also broken a window at a woman's home. He claimed to police she had invited him round to watch a DVD but would not let him in and he punched the window in temper when he saw her with another man.

Mr Nick Cassidy (defending) said custody would be at the forefront of the court's mind but Stansfield could be allowed to work with the probation service.

He had a drug problem which he had been able to control, but it had taken grip recently. Stansfield had had no intention to steal from the customer when he went to her home and regretted his actions.

Mr Cassidy added the defendant, who had been living in a Colne guest house, had used the knife to open a bag of laundry at his parents' home. The solicitor added: "He had a hole in his pocket so that's why he put it in his sock."