DAVID Andrew Park stole a track-suit from T J Hughes, planning to sell it so he could afford the train fare to visit his girlfriend in hospital in Manchester.
Park, 30, of North Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty at Blackburn magistrates to shoplifting and was fined £75 with £55 costs.
The court heard he was followed by a security guard after leaving a cubicle with one track-suit top when he had gone in with two.
Paul Garner, defending, said Park had wanted to raise some cash so he could visit his girlfriend.
"He has numerous previous convictions and the only thing I can say about that is that he seems to be slowing down in his offending," he said.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article