A 39-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed after admitting stealing a safe from East Lancashire Sports Club.

Blackburn magistrates heard three people were arrested in connection with the offence but there was only evidence to link Andrew Robert Smith to the offence.

Smith, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary and theft of a safe of a value unknown. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison and ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge on release.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said police attended the club at 4.26am on Sunday in response to the alarm being activated. They saw Smith running away from the club and get into a car with two other people.

"All three were arrested but there was no evidence the other two had been involved in the burglary," said Miss Akhtar.

Aftab Bakhat, defending, said his client accepted he was in the grip of drink and drugs addictions.

"That explains the crime but doesn't excuse it," said Mr Bakhat. "He is going to be recalled on prison licence and he accepts he will get a custodial sentence for this offence."