A 26-YEAR-OLD Blackburn man tried to borrow from friends after his benefits were stopped.

When his ‘credit’ ran out, Neil Elliot tried begging to fill the coffers and, when police put an end to that, he stole to try and raise some cash.

Elliot, of Dunoon Drive, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to begging in Ainsworth Street, and stealing steak from Tesco.

He was fined £70, with £15 costs, but this was set against the time he spent in custody after police refused to grant him bail when he committed the second offence.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said police were cracking down on begging in Blackburn town centre.

She said Elliot had been moved on by police, and warned not to beg on the street. Shortly after, the same officers saw him begging, and this time he was arested.

He had £9.33 in change in his pocket, and when he was asked how much he made, he told the officer: “I make more than you.”

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client’s benefits had been stopped and he had no money at all.

“His first resort was to borrow, then he tried begging, and eventually stole some steak,” added Mr Taylor.