A 20-YEAR-OLD man was arrested as he tried to steal perfume to give to his wife as a present for Christmas.

Patrick Heaney, of Ormerod Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to shoplifting at the Boots store in the town centre when he appeared before magistrates.

He was ordered to carry out 50 hours’ unpaid work and pay £145 costs.

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Gareth Price, defending, said the offence had been a misguided attempt at romance ahead of the festive period. He said: “I’m not sure his wife would have wanted to receive stolen goods on Christmas Day.”