TWO brothers convicted of stealing a taxi driver's takings have both been given community type sentences.

The pair had been aquitted of robbery but found guilty of theft following a trial at Burnley Crown Court.

Martin Shaw, 22, and his 17-year-old brother Paul, both of Newchurch Road, Stacksteads, were found guilty of stealing a mobile phone and quantity of cash from Arshad Mahmood.

The first defendant was given a combined sentence of eighty hours community punishment and twelve months community rehabilitation.

The teenager was ordered to do 100 hours community pushment.

The offence took place in February this year at Stacksteads. The taxi driver had picked up a fare in the area of Burnley Road East. The takings were contained in a bag.

Mr Nick Kennedy, for Martin Shaw, said the defendant - now said to live at Leyland - had been drinking far too frequently and wanted to stop.

He worked full-time as a welder and his partner was expecting their child.

Mr John O'Shea, for Paul Shaw, said he did not recollect much of what happened at the time of the offence because of drink.

He understood it was a serious offence which he very much regretted.. It had been completely out of character.

Judge Barbara Watson said in passing sentence "I have no doubt at all that when the two of you engaged in that offence you were far the worse for drink, having been out drinking for most of the evening together.

"That is no excuse at all for what was quite a serious offence of theft, in my judgment."