SHOPLIFTER Paul Proctor returned to the shop where he had stolen alcohol worth £11.73 and paid the owner £15.

And having heard of Proctor's "unusual" action, stipendiary magistrates Jonathon Finestein gave him a chance to show he could keep out of trouble.

Proctor, 24, of Arran Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to shoplifting when he appeared before Blackburn magistrates and sentence was deferred until April 13.

Stephen Parker, defending, said the shopkeeper had confirmed that Proctor had handed over £15.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.