GARETH Wilshire found himself locked out of his digs and his belongings locked in after his 'landlord' was sent to prison.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Wilshire took a hammer and chisel to the door of the property, belonging to Twin Valley Homes, but was arrested by officers dealing with a completely separate incident nearby.

Wilshire, 51, of Rothesay Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to causing £200 worth of damage to the door. He was ordered to pay £200 compensation. A charge of going equipped for theft was withdrawn after the prosecution accepted that he was trying to recover his own property.

Kevin Preston, defending, said Wilshire had been lodging with a friend in Oban Drive and had his own keys. However, the friend was sent to prison and Twin Valley changed the locks, not knowing Wilshire's property was inside.

"He accepts that he damaged the door but the prosecution now accept that he was only trying to recover his own property," said Mr Preston.