A MAN caught trying to steal diesel from a hotel blamed the government for his "act of desperation."

Blackburn magistrates heard that father of eight Stuart Peter Murgatroyd needed fuel so that he could drive his asthmatic son to hospital and had decided to help himself from a tank at the Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho.

Murgatroyd, 29, of Malvern Avenue, Padiham, pleaded guilty to attempted theft. He was granted a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £65 costs.

Pat Bramley, prosecuting, said that in light of the recent fuel crisis it was inevitable that the court would eventually have to deal with an offence of this type.

She said on Wednesday evening a director of the hotel arrived at work and noticed someone in the vicinity of a tank containing red diesel for use by the greenkeepers at the hotel's golf course.

She called for assistance and Murgatroyd was subsequently found hiding nearby.

Several drums were lined up near the tank and when arrested Murgatroyd admitted he intended stealing diesel.

Adrian Williams, defending, said Murgatroyd's partner was due to give birth to their ninth child shortly and one of the eight they already have was experiencing breathing difficulties and was in need of hospital treatment.

"He felt it was an act of desperation and in his police interview blamed the government for his predicament," said Mr Williams. "But it is no excuse for his behaviour and he can not go round taking the law into his own hands during a fuel crisis."