A THIEF who helped himself to a charity box told police he didn't know what they were talking about when quizzed, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told how Scott Hargreaves, 22, at the time on probation, also pinched chocolates and was caught out when the shop owner watched the security video after Hargreaves had left the shop.

Hargreaves, of Caldervale Guest House, Burnley, admitted theft. He was put on probation for six months and must pay £12 compensation.

The shop owner said the charity box had £30 in it, but Hargreaves claimed it had contained £11 and some foreign coins.

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said Hargreaves' offending behaviour had been related to a drug addiction.

For a long time he had been unable to get help as no local doctor would accept him.

Mr Church-Taylor added that whilst subject to a probation order, the defendant had been going to the community drugs team.