A THIEF who had been living rough was given the fright of his life when he inadvertently pitched his tent next to the lion pen at a zoo.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Andrew Peacock had been a 'guest of the local constabulary' after being caught shoplifting and revealing his nomadic lifestyle.

But Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said his client was unlikely to do the same again.

"He tells me that on his travels he pitched camp one night and was woken the following morning by the roaring of lions," said Mr Church-Taylor.

"He had inadvertently pitched camp close to Whipsnade Zoo, and while that was a rude awakening he says it wasn't as bad as Blackburn police station."

Peacock, 43, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of port from Lidl.

He was fined £50 which magistrates set against time spent in custody.

Mr Church-Taylor said that 18 months ago, by way of a mid-life crisis, his client had decided to leave his home in Kent.

"He has spent the last 18 months walking around the country working on a casual basis, usually for farmers, sometimes for money but often for food and board," said Mr Church-Taylor.

"His journey brought him to Blackburn, he felt depressed and stole this bottle of port so he could reach 'oblivion'."