A ONE-legged shoplifter tried to leg it with a leg of lamb stuffed down the trouser leg where his missing limb should have been.

Blackburn magistrates heard that on another occasion Paul McCartney tried to escape on crutches with a bottle of whisky inside his pants.

McCartney, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to shoplifting and was given a conditional discharge for 12 months.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said McCartney had lost his leg as a result of drug abuse.

“Despite that extreme outcome as a result of using drugs he has continued to have difficulties,” said Mr Taylor.

He said because of his amputation McCartney had applied for a different benefit.

“Bizarrely his benefits were suspended pending the determination of that application and he was left relying on the charity of friends,” said Mr Taylor.