A MAN went shoplifting to pay a funeral debt after his girlfriend's father died, a court heard.

Simon Anderson told Burnley magistrates he was sorry for what he had done but he had no choice.

Anderson, 39, of no fixed address, but with a forwarding address in Brierfield, admitted stealing toys worth £39.94 from Woolworth's. He was bailed until November 16 for a pre-sentence report.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Anderson had 20 convictions for theft and related matters over 22 years.

Mark Williams, defending, said Anderson had lost his job eight weeks ago for personal reasons and had not had a penny since.

He had been trying with the Benefits Agency to get some money sorted out and also had a debt, which was somebody else's, for a funeral and that had to be paid back.

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