A teenager who accepted a stolen generator from a man returned it to the rightful owner when he found out he knew her.

Blackburn magistrates heard Kyle Stuart Turner told the victim: “If I had known it was yours I would have got it back sooner.”

Turner, of The Sidings, Castle View, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to handling a stolen compressor. He was fined £180 and ordered to pay £20 costs. A charge of burglary of a shed in Towerhill, Clitheroe, and theft of the compressor was withdrawn.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said Turner had been seen with the compressor in the early hours of the morning. After the compressor’s owner had reported the burglary to police Turner approached her and said he hadn’t stolen it but knew where it was. Damian Pickup, defending, said Turner had always denied being involved in the burglary.

“Another man gave him the compressor and he accepts he was suspicious,” said Mr Pickup. “Hours later, when he realised who the compressor belonged to, he did the right thing.”