Husband-to-be from Blackburn pawned ring belonging to fiancé’s gran (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Husband-to-be from Blackburn pawned ring belonging to fiancé’s gran

9:00pm Thursday 31st January 2013 in Blackburn

A 39-YEAR-OLD man who was refused permission to pawn his fiancé’s engagement ring stole a wedding band which had belonged to her grandmother and put it in hock for £65.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Sharon Smith was able to recover the ring, which had great sentimental value, but the pawnbroker was left out of pocket.

John Craig Anderson, of Heaton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft of the ring and fraudulently giving false information to obtain cash. He was sentenced to 28 days in prison.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Anderson had been released on prison licence just 10 days before the latest offences after serving part of a sentence imposed for stealing £1,500 from an 84-year-old lady. She said he was being recalled on prison licence.

Miss Allan said that since his release Anderson had spent some time staying at Miss Smith’s house. He turned up one day and she saw a pawn receipt. She checked her jewellery box and found her grandmother’s ring was missing,” said Miss Allan. “He admitted pawning it for £65.”