A man wanting to mend his partner's door found it "too good to be true," when he came across some tools in a van, a court was told.
Christopher Ormerod Sears, 33, helped himself to the tool box and when caught by police, confessed: "I'm bang to rights. I admit it."
Sears, who struck on licence from a six-year jail term for house burglary, admitted theft at Burnley Magistrates Court.
The defendant, of Chapel Street, Colne, was given a 12-month conditional discharge, with £65 costs.
Richard Taylor, defending, said Sears's partner's house had been boarded up by mistake by the council and she was staying at his property.
They had a row, she wanted to go home and wanted her door fixing.
The defendant spotted the tool box in the van and thought it "too good to be true."
Mr Taylor added the property was recovered, no damage was caused and Sears spent 24 hours in custody.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article