TWO MEN who tried to steal a trolley load of electrical goods from Blackburn Asda assaulted two members of staff who challenged them.

Blackburn magistrates heard Matthew Thomas Stow and Sarfraz Khan fled empty handed but turned up at Tesco minutes later and tried to repeat the offence.

Stow, 24, of Hollin Street, Blackburn, and Khan, 39, of Stanley Drive, Darwen, pleaded guilty to theft of electrical goods worth £430 from Tesco and £450 from Asda.

Stow admitted assaulting William Gallagher and Khan admitted assaulting Yasser Bhatti.

Stow was made subject to a community order for 24 months with 40 days rehabilitation activity requirement and 120 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £150 compensation to Mr Gallagher. Khan was made subject to a community order for 20 months with 40 days rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £50 and ordered to pay £150 compensation to Mr Bhatti.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said the pair were seen in Asda at 10.15pm filling a trolley with electrical goods.

They were challenged as they left without paying and during the confrontation Stow punched Mr Gallagher several times.

He also shouted to his accomplice: "Shall I stick him in the neck."

Mr Bhatti said he was pushed by Khan and then struck in the face. He heard Stow shout; "I'm going to stick it in your neck."

The pair turned up at Tesco at 10.55pm where they again filled a trolley with electrical goods. They were stopped as they left by several members of staff.

"There was a struggle and Stow was detained on the floor with the help of a customer," said Mrs Yates.

Ian Huggan, defending Stow, said he had been subjected to some threats over a debt and that led to the offences.

"He accepts he threw some punches, which he is not proud of, but he does not accept making any threats in relation to a weapon," said Mr Huggan.

READ > Blackburn man jailed for 14 years after severing man's leg with car in 'family feud'

Graeme Parkinson, defending Khan, said on the day of the offences his client had been taking tablets and everything was a blur.

"He has only one previous shoplifting offence, in 2000, and in the normal course of events would not be involved in this kind of enterprise," said Mr Parkinson.

"He has no recollection of any threats but his memory is cloudy."