A 36-year-old man who was caught "red-handed" stealing a sat-nav system from a van apologised to the owner - then stayed chatting for 20 minutes while they both waited for the police to arrive.
And Blackburn magistrates heard that when nobody showed up, the van owner suggested Jason Bingham might as well go on his way.
Bingham, of Marsh House Lane, Darwen, pleaded guilty to theft.
Sentencing was adjourned for reports.
Philip Potter, prosecuting, said the van owner was a satellite installation engineer who was working at a house on Holker Street, Darwen.
He came out of the house to find Bingham standing on the step leaning into the van with the sat-nav system in his hand.
Rachel Adamson, defending, said Bingham had not tried to run away when confronted by the van owner.
"He immediately apologised and they stood talking for about 20 minutes waiting for the police to arrive," said Miss Adamson.
"My client gave his name and he says it was the aggrieved who eventually said he might as well go because he was fed up waiting for the police."
Miss Adamson said the police later made contact with Bingham by calling him on his mobile phone and arranged for him to go to the police station.
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