A MAN got away with a firm's £80,000 plus takings when he snatched a bag in the street.

The victim was en route to a bank when Nigel Tomlinson pounced. All the stolen money -- in cheques and cash -- was apparently recovered.

The 31-year-old of Fielden Street, Burnley, was jailed for two years when he appeared before Preston Crown Court for sentence. He had pleaded guilty to a charge of theft, but a jury acquitted him of an allegation of robbery.

A trial had heard that two women were delivering the takings from Lookers Vauxhall in Blackburn, to a bank at the time.

They parked up outside. One of the women got out and the money bag was snatched from her by someone who ran up.

The total amount was in the region of £82,000, though most of it was cheques apart from £1,500 cash.

Tomlinson was later arrested. The money bag was found.

Mr Richard Hunt, defending, said it had been an opportunistic theft. He had seen the woman and decided to take the bag off her.