A ROMANIAN "holidaymaker" who came to Blackburn to take in the sights ended up stealing more than £600 worth of medical products from Asda.

Blackburn magistrates heard Catalina Robu and another man had travelled from Liverpool by train for their day out which ended in police cells.

Robu, 25, of Knoclaid Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to theft of Sudafed and animal worming tablets worth £609.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months with £85 costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

District Judge Alexandra Preston said the Romanian national was asking the court to believe that while holidaying in Blackburn he decided to enter Asda and steal a load of medication.

"I don't accept your account at all," said District Judge Preston. "I don't think you are being straight forward with the court but you have no previous convictions and I give you credit for pleading guilty at the first opportunity.

"I also note you have spent a night in the cells and that you say you are due to leave this country on Tuesday."

Bill Rawstron, defending, said his instructions were that his client was on holiday and he was receiving money from his parents.

Asked by the district judge why, if he was on holiday, his client had travelled by train to Blackburn and stolen a load of Sudafed.

"He says he wanted to see Blackburn," said Mr Rawstron.