CHRISTOPHER Lee Ianson and two accomplices were spotted stealing an ornamental fountain from the garden of a Longridge house.
Blackburn magistrates heard that police were able to stop their getaway car nearby after a neighbour disturbed the trio and took their registration number.
Ianson, 20, of Waldon Street,Preston, pleaded guilty to stealing the £650 fountain belonging to Holanta Basnyet.
He was ordered to pay £80 compensation with £65 costs.
His accomplices, on a girl aged 17, and the other a 14-year-old boy, were remitted to juvenile courts in Preston and Fleetwood respectively.
The compensation was based on the fact that the fountain was recovered but £250 worth of damage had been caused in removing it from its stand.
Graham Parkinson, defending, said the theft had been committed at the instigation of the 14-year-old boy although his clients accepted they had gone along with the venture.
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