POLICE alerted to a burglary at a corner shop followed a suspect into a nearby house and found bin bags full of sweets, crisps and soft drinks stolen from the premises.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the officers also discovered a CS gas spray canister which Robert Brown admitted was his.

Brown, 25, of Infirmary Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods and possession of a prohibited weapon.

He was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for 12 months and ordered to pay £125 costs.

Phillip Potter, prosecuting, said officers investigating the burglary at a shop on the corner of Infirmary Street and Ivy Street entered Brown's home through the front and back doors and found two males and a female who were pretending to be asleep.

Brown and his girlfriend were in the front room where a quantity of stolen property was found in bin bags. Other bags had been left on the kitchen floor.

"He has admitted receiving stolen property and nearly all the property stolen in the burglary ended up in his custody," said Mr Potter.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Brown had allowed himself to become caught up in a stupid offence.

"He should have distanced himself from the people involved in this burglary and he wishes to assure you there will be no repeat of this foolish behaviour in the future," he added.