A STUPID thief who went into Argos and ran out with two car stereos was easily caught as he had given his details for a store card two days before.

Burnley magistrates heard how Atif Mahmood was captured on CCTV leaving with the £369.88 haul, a staff member recognised him and found his application. He was later arrested.

Mahmood, then a jobless heroin addict but now said to have turned over a new leaf, admitted stealing from shop premises.

The defendant, 26, of Bankhouse Road, Nelson, was given a 12-month community order with 60 hours community service. He must also pay £369.88 compensation.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, told the court Mahmood had produced his passport and bank statement at the store two days earlier when he applied for a store card.

When a staff member watched the CCTV she knew exactly who it was.

The defendant told police he used £10 of heroin a day, had owed cash to a dealer and had no income.

He had 39 previous convictions and had been to jail.

John Rusius, defending, said Mahmood was not a person who committed crimes of dishonesty, but owed money.

He decided on the spur of the moment to steal and run off.

The solicitor said: "It was obvious he wasn't going to get away with it. He has realised he needed to turn his life around and sort his drug problem and he has been successful with that. He has got a job."