LEE Warren Holden stole bank books belonging to his girlfriend's father, and withdrew more than £4,500 from his accounts in a two-week period.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Holden had stolen the money after finding himself caught in a debt situation which was spiralling out of control.

But despite the breach of trust, his girlfriend and her family had forgiven him for the actions, which he now bitterly regrets.

Holden, 26, of Leamington Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft of two account books belonging to William Cowell and two specimen charges of dishonesty obtaining cash by deception.

He asked for a further 11 offences to be taken into consideration. The case was adjourned for the preparation of pre sentence reports and Holden was remanded on bail until November 21.

Clare Fanning, prosecuting, said a total of £2,030 had been removed from an Abbey National account and £2,500 from a Lloyds TSB account.

Basharat Ditta, defending, said all the withdrawals had taken place in a two-week period at a very difficult time for Holden.

He said that since leaving school the defendant had always been in work and had enjoyed a certain lifestyle.

He became unemployed in May but maintained his lifestyle through the over use of credit cards.

"He got himself into a lot of debt, payments were being requested and he simply did not have the money to pay," said Mr Ditta.

"He was desperate and on one occasion he came across these bank books and took them.

"The money he withdrew was used to settle his debts. He was in a lot of trouble and he could see no other way out although he now bitterly regrets what occurred."