A WOMAN alerted by her dog barking went into her garden and found a man she knew as 'Slasher' walking off with her lawnmower, a court heard.

 

Blackburn magistrates heard when police arrested Steven Atkinson he also had a child's tracksuit he had stolen off the washing line.

 

Atkinson, 52, of Burnley Road, Padiham, pleaded guilty to theft of a lawnmower and a tracksuit belonging to Jacqueline Davies.

 

He was made subject to a curfew for 28 days between 8 pm and 8 am, a drug rehabilitation requirement for six months and ordered to pay £5 costs and £85 victim surcharge.

 

Charlotte Crane, prosecuting, said Miss Davies was at home in Horeb Close when her dog started barking at about 10pm. She went to the back door and let the dog out and saw Atkinson carrying her lawnmower away from the shed.

 

Imran Hussain, defending, said Atkinson had little recollection of the incident.

 

"He was the victim of a serious assault six months go and was in a coma for some time," said Mr Hussain. "Since then he has been involved with the mental health team."