A MAIL order firm worker who "succumbed to social pressure," helped himself to goods worth more than £700.

Burnley magistrates heard how teenager Shumraiz Hussain, then working at GUS in Burnley had a haul, including Rockport boots delivered to a house he used -- and his solicitor Roger Pickles told how the defendant did it so that he would not be an outcast in his social circle.

Hussain, now working at Woolworths, and hoping to go to university to study retail management, escaped a custodial sentence after Mr Pickles said Hussain would find it difficult to get work as an "ex-convict."

The defendant, now 20, of Cromwell Street, Burnley, admitted theft in November and December last year and possessing cannabis.

He was given a 160 hour community punishment order and ordered to pay £750 compensation and £60 costs.

Nigel Harrison, prosecuting, said Hussain misued three accounts.

Goods were delivered to an address on Whalley Street, Burnley. The defendant's was the only name which could be seen on the records as having accessed each of the accounts, which was highly unusual.

Two pairs of boots, two pairs of sunglasses and a watch, worth more than £700 were recovered.

Mr Pickles said Hussain came from a good family background.