A BURGLAR took two charity boxes among his haul of goods from a shop, a court was told.

Steven Symonds, 22, who struck at the store in Higher Antley Street, Accrington, with an accomplice, also walked off with a CD system, cash and other electrical equipment.

He walked free from Burnley Crown Court after Recorder David Sumner gave him credit for showing remorse by pleading guilty.

The judge, who said he had been helped by a psychiatric report on Symonds, sentenced him to 12 months' probation and 100 hours' community service.

Symonds of Hannah Street, Accrington, admitted burglary and obstructing a police officer, last April.

Rick Holland, prosecuting, said when the owners of the grocery shop arrived at 9.15am, they found confectionary on the floor and property missing. Footprints led from a door towards a counter.

Later, a young lad went into the shop with a bag of batteries, stolen from the shop, and said he had got them from the defendant's address. Symonds himself then went into the shop.

The defendant told police he had taken the drug tamazepam that evening and had very little recollection of what went on.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Symonds had kept away from burgling since 1995 and the offences occurred at a time when he was under considerable strain.

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