A SHOPLIFTER targeted the same shop 13 times in the space of a month.

Blackburn magistrates heard Victor Wearden repeatedly stole small value items from the One Stop Shop in Netherfield Road, Nelson, because there was a problem with his benefits.

Wearden, 25, of Beaufort Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to 13 charges of theft from the One Stop Shop. He was remanded on bail until November 3 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

The court heard the charges related to the theft of cases of beer, sandwiches washing machine tablets, pot noodles, cleaning products, wine and beer.

Carl Gaffney, prosecuting, said Wearden had previous convictions for theft but the last had been in May 2019.

David Leach, defending, said his client had been frank with the police and admitted all the offences.

"There was a problem with his universal credit and he was desperate," said Mr Leach.