A THIEF who struck at B&Q apologised to police and said his behaviour was completely out of character.

But Burnley Magistrates heard Ian Shepherd had 49 previous convivctions for theft.

Shepherd, 50, of Smith Street, Nelson, admitted stealing safety goggles and respiratory face masks.

The bench told the defendant, who has been subject toof a community rehabilitation order for six months, they were thinking of imposing a community-based penalty. He was bailed until March 18, after admitting theft.