LEE David Hoole accepted two cheques in payment for a fish tank knowing they had been stolen.

Blackburn magistrates heard the money was given to him by a male neighbour, who he refused to name, but they were in the name of a Mrs T Aslam.

Hoole, 33, of Ambleside Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods and obtaining £177 by deception. He was made subject to a four-month curfew order, between 7pm and 7am.

The court heard that Hoole had cashed the cheques at a pawn brokers. They were later seized by police and his fingerprints found on them.

Roger Pickles, defending, said Hoole had admitted to police that he had taken a risk.

"He was found out and now he will have to pay the price," Mr Pickles told the court.