A BURGLAR needed a rest after lifting heavy flagstones from a cellar -- and was caught red-handed when he went back to collect the haul.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Brian Thompson, 24, was arrested with an accomplice after helping himself to stones worth a total of £100 from a property in Burnley.

Thompson, of Sefton Terrace, Burnley, admitted burglary and was given 70 hours community service.

He must pay £30 costs.

He was told by the bench he had not forced his way into the premises and it had not been somebody's home.

Mark Williams, defending, said the property was unoccupied and semi-derelict.

The defendant and an accomplice went in to remove some flags, stacked them in the back yard and had gone away for a rest.

They then returned to take the stones but were caught red-handed when they were crossing the back street.

Mr Williams added the defendant did not have the worst record the court would see and the offences was very much at the bottom end of the burglary scale.

It could be met by a community penalty.