A THIEF was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £75 costs and £1.98 compensation by Blackburn magistrates after pleading guilty to stealing two cans of lager from Boozebusters, New Chapel Street, Blackburn.

The court heard that a shop assistant refused to serve Adam Mason, 22, of Fernhurst Street, Blackburn, and another man because they had been drinking and Mason then ran out with the lager.

Mason told police he was not a thief, that he had £50 in his pocket at the time and that he could not understand why he had committed the offence.

Jonathon Taylor, defending, said Mason was in full time employment as a fork lift truck driver and was deeply embarrassed and did not have a great recollection of the events.