A thief who smashed his way into a bicycle repair shop using paving slabs, before stealing a £3,000 bike has been sentenced in court.

Just before 3am on Sunday British Transport Police were alerted to a burglary at Lakes Leisure Bikes on Preston Train Station.

Paving slabs were used to smash the windows causing £2,000 worth of damage, before a customer's £3,000 bike, which was in for repair, was stolen. 

BTP officers viewed CCTV and were able to identify the suspect, and set out to find him.

He was eventually traced to an address in Lancaster and officers there arrested him at 6.50pm the same day.

Further enquiries then led police to a van parked on an industrial estate in Southport.

A spokesperson for the BTP said: "As they kept watch, a male returned to the vehicle.

"A stop and search led to the recovery of the stolen bicycle, and the male was arrested at 9.30pm on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

"He has since been released under investigation."

The man arrested for the burglary was interviewed and charged on Sunday night.

On Monday, the 18-year old man from Lancaster appeared in court where he was convicted of burglary and was given a community order (including up to 40 days rehabilitation activity); an electronic curfew from 7pm until 7am for 12 weeks; and was ordered to pay £200 compensation by June 21.