STEALING two boxes of dark chocolate had a "magical" outcome for a 47-year-old Darwen man.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Anthony James Wale stole the confectionery because he wanted to get away from a man who was bullying him at his hostel accommodation.

But between the offence and coming to court, the other man had been convicted of an offence of grievous bodily harm and was in custody awaiting sentence.

Wale, of Police Street, pleaded guilty to stealing two boxes of Black Magic. He was fined £45.

Nigel Holden, defending, said Wale was no stranger to the courts.

"He was getting aggravation from another resident and decided to take matters into his own hands," said Mr Holden.

"He committed this offence under the nose of the store detectives in the hope he would get arrested and sent down again.

"The irony of the situation is that in the meantime his tormentor has been locked up and is no longer at the hostel," he added.