A 22-year-old cashier at a Blackburn DIY store stole £4,000 from his employers as he struggled to cope with credit card debt.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Eadnam Mirza Hussain set up an elaborate chain of fictitious sales and bogus returns so he could pocket cash from the till.

But defence solicitor Basharat Ditta described the thefts as unsophisticated and said it was inevitable that his client would be caught.

Hussain, 22, of Thornhill Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to nine charges of stealing from his employer Focus Do It All. He was ordered to do 120 hours community punishment and made subject to a community rehabilitation order for 12 months. He was ordered to pay £1,200 compensation.

Mr Ditta said Hussain came from a hard-working family and from an early age he had been taught the difference between right and wrong.

"You may well ask why did he embark on this course of conduct which ultimately led to his dismissal and brought disgrace on his family," said Mr Ditta.

"The reason is that he was trying to sponsor his wife to join him from Pakistan and it was important for him to show that he was able to support her. He was using his credit cards and incurred a debt of £10,000."

Mr Ditta said Hussain was unable to pay the debt and buried his head in the sand. "Against that background he undertook the offences you have heard about," said Mr Ditta.