A LETTER to his girlfriend that Martin Sewell forgot to post contained a confession not of his undying love, but to a criminal offence.

And the confession was enough for police, who found the letter during a search of his home to charge Sewell with theft.

Sewell, 29, of Devon Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft of a mobile phone from Asda and going equipped for theft with a screwdriver.

He was remanded in custody until October 7 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports after the court heard that he was only released from jail on August 25.

Kendal Lindley, prosecuting, said Sewell had been seen crouching between two cars on the B and Q car park. He was chased by police who saw him throw something over a fence. They recovered a screwdriver and later searched his home, where they found the letter.

"The letter to his girlfriend contained a confession not of his love but of his criminality," said Mr Lindley.

"He told her in detail how he had stolen a telephone from Asda and the police were able to confirm that was true."