TWO men accused of robbing a garage employee of more than £80,000 worth of takings, have been cleared.

Nigel Tomlinson, 31, and Terrence Alderson, 39, who was said to have been the getaway driver, were both found not guilty of robbing Kath Kendall of cash and cheques worth £83,840.11 after a three-day trial at Burnley Crown Court.

Tomlinson, of Fielding Street, Burnley who had earlier admitted theft of monies to the sum of £1,608.81 and cheques worth £82,195.34, was remanded in custody until February 9, for a pre-sentence report, by Judge Barbara Watson.

Alderson, of Bacup Road, Cliviger, was discharged from the dock. He had denied both allegations.

The court had been told Tomlinson snatched the bag of daily takings from the Lookers Vauxhall dealership in Blackburn, last May, and got into a van driven by Alderson.

They were followed by police and stopped. Later, a resident on Knowsley Road and his dog were in the garden when the animal found the stolen haul of more than £80,000 in cash and cheques. The prosecution had alleged the loot was flung from the van so that the defendants would be empty-handed when stopped by officers.

Kate Blackwell, defending Alderson, asked the jury if a person planning a robbery would choose a slow, white Transit van as a getaway vehicle.

Alderson, the long-term boyfriend of his co-defendant's sister had agreed to take Tomlinson to Blackburn because he was going nearby, in the van, to borrow some scaffolding.

On the way, Tomlinson told him he was going to buy cannabis. Alderson should have dissociated himself with the situation but did not. He parked up, without the engine running and the next thing he knew his co-defendant ran past. Tomlinson practically fell into the vehicle and told Alderson to drive.

Miss Blackwell said Alderson did not head for the motorway, but for the town centre and when he saw a police car coming the other way, he indicated to show which way he was going. He stopped for the officers when their emergency equipment was activated and didn't try to get away.

She added the theft was a momentary decision of Tomlinson's. It was not something Alderson had any part in at all and he did not know it was going to happen.

For Tomlinson, Richard Hunt said the victim did not suffer any injuries at all . He went on: "This was not a robbery. This was a theft. There was no struggle here."