A FORMER businessman used somebody else's details to set himself up as a catalogue agent when he fell on hard times, a court was told.

Burnley magistrates heard how Simon Peter Balme, 29, for many years a charity worker, then ordered goods to the tune of several hundred pounds. But what he did was 'borne out of desperation rather than greed.'

Balme, of Lowthwaite Drive, Nelson, was conditionally discharged for two years, after admitting obtaining property by deception.

Dermot Woodhead, defending, said although Balme has been before the court before, he had no previous convictions for dishonesty and had always prided himself on his good name and reputation.

Mr Woodhead said Balme was formerly self-employed and had been successful but his business had run into difficulties.

He had lost his home, his business went into liquidation and the relationship he had at that time came to an end.

He went very rapidly from a comfortable lifestyle to having no assets.

Balme moved into rented accommodation, where a promotional leaflet was sent to the previous tenant, inviting him to apply to Littlewoods for a catalogue.

The defendant knew his credit rating at that time was zero and filled in the application form in the tenant's name.

It was never his intention to get goods without paying for them, but to take advantage of the other man's credit.

He fully intended to pay but his finances got worse and Balme ordered further items knowing he couldn't pay.

Mr Woodhead added the defendant's circumstances eventually began to improve. He moved from the rented accommoation and did't try to place any more orders.

He went on: "There is not the remotest propect of this type of behaviour being repeated. The offence was borne out of desperation not greed and he has recently found further work."

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