A stolen packet of midget gems cost the thief more than £100 when he appeared in court.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Alan Pickard was detained by an off-duty police officer who saw him stealing the sweets from a parked car on August 30.

Pickard, 53, of Walpole Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to theft from a motor vehicle.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

Julia Draper, prosecuting, said the off-duty officer was driving past at 2am when he saw Pickard acting suspiciously.

He drove round the block and when he came back saw Pickard leaning into a parked car and taking a packet of sweets.

"On arrest, the defendant said he was hungry and simply wanted to get something to eat," said Miss Draper. She said his last conviction had been in 2020.

John Rusius, in mitigation, said his client had told him he had stopped offending because he was "too old for all this".

"At the time of this offence he was struggling following the death of his wife of 29 years from a stroke," said Mr Rusius.

"His name wasn't on the tenancy and he was made homeless."

He said Pickard had seen the midget gems in the car and leaned in and took them.

"Hopefully this a minor blip for someone who is something of a reformed character," said Mr Rusius.