ZABIR Haji's family decided they had to be "cruel to be kind" if they were going to help him beat his drugs habit.

Blackburn magistrates heard they shopped him to the police after he had persuaded bank staff to give him money from his brother-in-law's account by answering personal questions.

And Basharat Ditta, defending, told the court that as a result of their actions Haji had been through prison detoxification and been offered a place on a drug rehabilitation programme.

Haji, 27, of Earl Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to three charges of obtaining money by deception. He was given a conditional discharge for two years and ordered to pay £151 compensation.

David Hartley, prosecuting, said Haji did not have a cheque book or credit card but had gone into the bank and requested cash withdrawals. He had given certain personal details on each occasion before the withdrawals were authorised.

"You sometimes have to be cruel to be kind and my client's family have been just that," said Mr Ditta.

Mr Ditta said drugs were behind the offences with Haji trying to fund a £30 a day heroin habit.