A 25-year-old man who broke into a nurse’s car after she parked outside a surgery escaped with her handbag and a bag containing medical equipment.

Blackburn magistrates heard that when he was arrested for a different matter later the same day Steven John Rawcliffe was in possession of a driving licence and bank card taken from the owners purse.

And his solicitor, David Lawson, said Rawcliffe had brought the blood pressure monitor and stethoscope with him to court so they could be returned.

Rawcliffe, of West Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to theft.

He was made subject to community supervision for 12 months with a drug rehabilitation requirement and a 9pm to 7am curfew for three months.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said staff nurse Gemma Barlow had parked outside St George’s surgery on Haslingden Road, Blackburn.

When she returned to her vehicle a window had been smashed and the bags taken.

She said Rawcliffe was on bail for other matters and later in the day was arrested for being in breach of bail conditions.

Mr Lawson said Rawcliffe had been visiting someone in hospital which was why he was in Blackburn.