A HOMELESS man who stole lamb joints because he was hungry showed police the bones left over from his meal to show his motivation had been hunger.

Blackburn magistrates heard at the time Colin Gordon was living in an abandoned bus.

But the court was told he was now being supported by the Accrington Charity Maundy Relief and was turning his life around.

Gordon, 52, of Dowry Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to theft of two legs of lamb from Farmfoods.

He was ordered to pay £21.98 compensation.

Gareth Price, defending, said the motivation for the offence had been nothing more than hunger.

"He cooked the lamb and ate it and when the police came to arrest him he showed them the bones of the legs of lamb," said Mr Price. "Maundy Relief got wind of his predicament and put him in temporary accommodation.

"They have now found him a permanent address and helped him to furnish it. He is engaging with Inspire and is on a methadone script and things are on the up for him."