THE day after he was released from prison Martin Haggan stole the purse belonging to a DSS officer who was helping him make a claim for benefits.

Blackburn magistrates heard that hours later he bumped into his ex-partner and her new boyfriend in a shop and started to threaten them.

Haggan, 30, of Fishmoor Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft and using threatening behaviour.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £40 compensation.

Claire Fanning, prosecuting, said the DSS officer had turned to get a form for Haggan and when she returned he seemed eager to leave.

It was only after he had left that she discovered her purse missing from her handbag.

In the shop Haggan shouted at his ex and her new partner who he accused of stopping him from seeing his child.

Haggan went outside and took his jacket off and then blocked the doorway.

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said Haggan claimed the purse was on the floor and he simply picked it up.

He had bumped into his ex-partner purely by chance and it was not the fact she had a new boyfriend that caused the trouble. "He was upset that she was denying him access to his son and he saw the other man as someone who may have influenced her," said Mr Church-Taylor.

"Rather than dealing with it through the proper channels he dealt with it in the way and language of the street."