A 25-YEAR-OLD man who started to steal a pedal cycle but had a change of heart still ended up being sent to prison.

Blackburn magistrates heard the incident on an industrial estate was captured on CCTV and Anthony Mark Saunders was identified by police and the offence put him in breach of a suspended sentence.

Sanderson, of Castle Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to attempted theft of a bike. He was sentenced to four weeks for the offence and a further eight weeks for being in breach of the suspended sentence.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said the owner of a catering van had left his vehicle secured and a bike and generator were chained up next to it. When he went to work the following morning he found the chain had been damaged.

She said Sanderson had been given a suspended prison sentence for stealing lead from the roof of Barrowford Primary School.

Daniel Fraser, defending, said his client deserved full credit for admitting the offence as the CCTV evidence was far from convincing.

"He says he had gained access to the bike but then thought better of it and left," said Mr Fraser. "He is trying to sort himself out and the only thing that stopped him stealing this bike was himself. That is not something that would have happened in the past and shows how hard he is trying."