A father-to-be who stole copper piping was trying to raise cash to pay court fines, Burnley magistrates heard.

Lee Smith, 23, who took piping from the boarded up Derby Arms in Padiham, also handled stolen goods.

Smith, of Reed Street, admitted handling stolen goods and asked for an offence of burglary to be considered.

Smith, who had 37 previous convictions, had been to jail, but had not offended for four years, was given a 12-month conditional discharge, with £30 costs.