A MAN repaid a friend who gave him somewhere to stay when he fell on hard times by stealing £1,400, a court heard.

Euan William Duncan, 49, had been given work and lodgings by a friend who was also the landlord of the Bay Horse in Worsthorne, Burnley.

But Burnley magistrates were told Duncan helped himself to £1,400 from the cash float when he was allowed to sleep in the pub overnight.

Duncan, who was said to have been in debt to a loan shark, admitted theft of money belonging to Stewart Harvey and Philip Banfield, last December 4.

The defendant, now living in Walker Street, Bury, was given a 12-month community order, with 100 hours unpaid work and must pay £260 compensation.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said the landlord had been contacted by Duncan, who told him he was living rough and he was offered a cleaning job and accommodation.

Mrs Mann said the landlord described the defendant as a friend he was trying to help until he got back on track, rather than an employee.

He gave him cash when he helped out behind the bar and with cleaning. The prosecutor added Duncan had not offended since 1998.

Jeremy Frain, for Duncan, said he had handed himself in to the police.

The solicitor said: “He was not paid for the work. He had no savings, was not in receipt of benefits and he had borrowed money from a loan shark, who now wanted it back, with interest.

“The opportunity arose one night when money was left and he succumbed to temptation in order to pay back what was owed.”

Mr Frain told the court the defendant now had a home, was on benefits, and ‘apologised to all concerned’.