A man reached under the glass screen in a pawnbroker’s shop and stole a pair of earrings while his friend distracted staff.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard that because Ricky Williams was not entitled to go behind the screen the theft was classed as a burglary.

Williams, 48, of Stansfeld Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to burglary at Ramsdens Financial Ltd and theft of a pair of earrings worth £25.

He was remanded on bail by magistrates for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Zulekha Bhuta, prosecuting, said Williams had entered the Stonybutts store in Blackburn Mall with another individual on the day.

“While his friend distracted the person behind the counter he reached through the narrow gap under the glass security screen and took a pair of earrings,” Miss Bhuta told the court.

“The incident was caught on CCTV.”

Leigh Morgan, mitigating, said her client accepted stealing the earrings.

But he still denied the theft had been pre-meditated.

“He says it was on the spur of the moment and denies any distraction by the other person,” said Miss Morgan.