A 24-YEAR-OLD man stole a travel bag and a jacket from a van as he left business premises where he had been asking if there was any scrap metal.

Blackburn magistrates heard Tony Johnstone threw the bag and jacket into a skip, unaware they contained the owner’s passport, French ID card and driving licence.

Johnstone, of Haslingden Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing property worth £660 belonging to Gerald Hewing.

He was made subject to community supervision for 12 months, ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and pay £660 compensation and £85 court costs.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Mr Hewing had left his car unlocked on the car park while he visited business premises in Darwen.

Johnstone was a regular caller at the business where he took away scrap metal.

She said that as well as the bag and clothing Johnstone took a satellite navigation system.

Aftab Bakhat, defending, said that Johnstone had seen that the door of the van was open and he succumbed to temptation, although he did not recall taking the satellite navigation system.

“He has not profited from the theft but he accepts he caused the aggrieved distress and inconvenience,” said Mr Bakhat.