THE finger of suspicion fell on Nawaz Khan when he was spotted wearing a £1,250 Tag Heuer watch which had been stolen from a Blackburn jewellers.

But Blackburn magistrates decided the time had come to release Khan after they heard he had already spent two weeks in custody awaiting sentence for an offence of handling stolen property.

Khan, 21, of Preston New Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to handling the watch, stolen from Peter Jackson Jewellers seven months prior to his arrest.

He was sentenced to 28 days in prison which effectively ensured his immediate release from custody.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said Khan had been in the jewellery shop at the same time as a group of youths when the watch had been stolen.

It was accepted he had nothing to do with the theft but he admitted to police that he had paid £100 for the watch from some of his friends.

Basharat Ditta, defending, said he was asking the magistrates to send his client to prison.

"He has already spent two weeks in custody on this matter, the equivalent of a 28 days sentence.

"I would submit that is sufficient punishment," said Mr Ditta.