THERE was no wizardry when Paul McCartney went into Woolworths in Clitheroe and stole a Harry Potter computer game.

Blackburn magistrates heard the theft had been committed for revenge rather than financial gain but, whatever the motives, the execution had been inept. McCartney, 37, of Cherry Lodge, Islington, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft and was fined £75 with £55 costs.

Lisa Worsley, prosecuting, said the manager had seen McCartney selecting several Harry Potter items some of which fell to the floor. She asked if she could help and McCartney asked for a basket. He replaced most of the items but was seen to put a Harry Potter Book of Spells computer game inside his jacket.

He then approached the manager and asked if they had the Harry Potter Levitation game in stock and when she said no he left the store but was detained by police.

Andrew Church-Taylor defending, said McCartney felt a store detective from Woolworths in Blackburn could have cleared him of another shoplifting charge but the detective had kept quiet and McCartney felt aggrieved.