Declan Wallace, 44, of South View, Kirkham, pleaded guilty to theft of razor blades.

He was bailed for a week for sentence by Blackpool magistrates after he became ill and had to leave the court.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said a customer at Morrisons supermarket, Mill Street, Kirkham, told a staff member a man had been putting razors in his pocket on February 2.

Wallace had gone when the staff member checked the aisle.

He was seen returning to the store later the same day. He went to the toiletries aisle and put several packets of razors in his pocket.

When apprehended four packets of razors, valued at £4.99 each, were found on him.

Wallace told police he had gone into the shop deliberately and had stolen the razors to sell, as he had no money to heat his home or for food.

Brett Chappell, defending, told magistrates: "The circumstances which led to this offence are quite tragic. He had no gas, electric or food and he believed the only way was to go out and shoplift for razors to sell."