THE owner of a Blackburn house occupied by Iranian asylum seekers installed a closed circuit TV camera because of problems with vandalism and damage.

And Blackburn magistrates heard that the camera caught Francis Graham Thompson in the act when he smashed the front window of the house.

Thompson, 26, of Gladstone Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage. He was fined £50 and ordered to pay £80 compensation.

Eddie Harrison, prosecuting, said the three occupants of the house were watching television in the early hours when the window was smashed. All three ran out and saw Thompson walking away. He at first denied the offence but the closed circuit TV footage clearly showed him smashing the window.

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said Thompson had been out with his girlfriend and he had been drinking. On the way home they argued and in temper he put his fist through the window.

"He knew there had been problems in the area but he didn't know this house was occupied by these particular people," added Mr Blacklidge.