A 31-YEAR-OLD woman was given two bank cards and a gold bracelet that her lodger had stolen in a burglary.

Blackburn magistrates were told that within hours of the burglary, two attempts were made to use the cards. The same day the £150 bracelet was pawned for £40.

Amanda Jayne Meadowcroft, 31, of Largs Road, Blackburn, was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £40 compensation and £40 costs after pleading guilty to handling stolen goods.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said Meadowcroft told police she had accepted the goods as payment for letting the man stay at her house. She co-operated fully with the police and the burglar was arrested and charged.

Sian Hall, defending, said it had been a very foolish mistake by her client.

"These items were offered to her and she does not know what possessed her to accept them," said Miss Hall.

"She is very disappointed with herself and can't believe how foolish she has been."