A BRADFORD shoplifter was told by magistrates it was his "lucky day" after he narrowly avoided being sent to prison after admitting stealing women’s underwear from Next in Skipton.

Darren Critchley, 52, of Farm Hill Road, Five Lane Ends, Bradford, was already subjected to a court order when he stole four packs of £10 women’s underwear from the Albion Square store, just before Christmas, on December 20, the Skipton court heard.

Critchley was recorded on the shop's CCTV cameras for about 20 minutes putting four packs of underwear into a Next washing basket. He was spoken to by police in January when he initially said he had no recollection of being in Skipton because he was under the influence of drugs at the time, and had a drugs debt of £400. After being shown the CCTV footage, he admitted the offence, the court was told.

Critchley also admitted being in breach of a 12 month community order imposed by Bradford magistrates in August last year for driving while disqualified by missing two unpaid work commitments in early December. He had completed just more than 58 hours of his 60 hours requirement.

In mitigation, the court heard that Critchley had a number of problems due to his addiction to drugs and building up a debt after buying drugs on credit and that he had stolen the underwear to sell to help pay off the money he owed.

Critchley, who admitted theft, had his previous community order revoked and a new one imposed with magistrates telling him he was lucky not to be going to prison, but that another breach would mean a ‘very good chance’ of imprisonment.

He received a 12 month community order with up to 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days, a £90 surcharge, court costs of £85 and probation costs of £85. He will also have to pay £40 compensation to Next.