A 23-YEAR-OLD woman who broke into her former partner's home to collect some of her belongings helped herself to some of his while she was there, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Clare Cleary stole a laptop computer and a mobile phone which she later sold.

Cleary, 23, of Waterfront, Merchants Quay, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to burglary. She was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £30 costs.

John Wood, prosecuting, said Cleary's former partner was in town shopping when he got a phone call from her asking if he was at home.

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said Cleary had spoken to her former partner to ascertain that he would not be at home when she went to recover her property.

"Her benefit book was missing and she blamed her former partner," said Mr Church-Taylor.

"There was a degree of animosity between them and she took the laptop and other items intending to sell them.

"Her reasoning was - If you put me in this position you can pay for it."