STEPHEN John Buck was 'probably' the most unsophisticated shoplifter to strike at a local convenience store.

Blackburn magistrates heard that he tried to pay for eight cans of Carlsberg lager with a video club membership card and then walked out with them when the assistant refused his strange payment method.

But staff knew Buck and were able to direct the police to his sister's house.

Buck, 29, of Manxman Road, Blackburn, admitted shoplifting. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months, ordered to pay £6 compensation and £65 costs.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said a police officer who went to Buck's sister's house was told he was not there. But as she left the officer saw him peeping from an upstairs room and returned.

Buck came down drinking from a can of Carlsberg. He said he had not been out all night but, when three other cans were found in the fridge, said he suffered blackouts and couldn't remember being in the Spar.

Basharat Ditta, defending, said the offence and subsequent events had demonstrated a total lack of sophistication.

"He was known to staff in the shop who had clearly seen him put the cans in a rucksack," said Mr Ditta.