AN asylum seeker studying at Blackburn College was pressurised into stealing laptop computers by a man who offered to pay his fees, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard Patson Chakauya used a fellow student’s identity swipe cards to access the library and the laptop safe.

But a diligent security officer used closed circuit TV footage to establish that Chakauya was responsible and not the genuine card holder.

Chakauya, 33, of Fawcett Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to two charges of burglary at the Beacon Library and fraudulent use of the swipe card. He asked for three offences to be taken into consideration and was committed on bail to Preston Crown Court for sentence.

Parveen Akhtar, prosec-uting, said after it was noticed a number of laptops had gone missing a member of the security staff began reviewing CCTV footage and as a result Chakauya was arrested.

He initially denied any involvement but later adm-itted his part. He told police he was an asylum seeker who was not allowed to work and had not paid his college fees. He said he was app-roached by someone called Will who said he would pay his fees if he stole some laptops.

Waseem Chowdhary, defending, said Chakauya had bee targeted by the other man who took advantage of his position.

“Since he was charged by the police he has been to see the college principal and explained the circumst-ances of these offences,” said Mr Chowdhary. “

His status as an asylum seeker is currently under consideration.”