THERE was no initial success for Majid Hussain when he tried to cash a cheque in the name of Mushtaq Hussain.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the cashier felt there was more to a name than simply having the same initials and her suspicions were confirmed when Hussain produced his own identification documents.

Hussain, 22, of Montague Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to dishonestly receiving a stolen cheque and attempting to obtain £974 by deception from Kings Jewellers on Darwen Street, Blackburn.

He was remanded on bail until July 21 for the preparation of pre sentence reports. David Macro, prosecuting, said the cheque had been made out to Mushtaq Hussain in settlement of an insurance claim relating to flooding at a house in Logwood Street. Mr Hussain was the landlord of that property and the cheque was delivered there while the tenant was away.

"The police still do not know how Hussain came to be in possession of the cheque within a day of it arriving," said Mr Macro.

Basharat Ditta, defending, said another tenant at the Logwood Street address had come across the cheque and because Hussain shared the same initials as the payee he was approached to try and cash it.

"I do not know what came over him that day, but he regrets his actions most bitterly," said Mr Ditta. "He is trying to sort out his life after serving a long custodial sentence at an early age and this can only be described as a moment of absolute madness.

"He has got to learn that if you are trying to live a law abiding life you have got to learn to say no."