Andrew Stewart Redfearn, 24, of Sarah Street, Darwen,was ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work by Blackburn magistrates after admitting theft of a handbag and two charges of theft of cash from machines using a card from the bag.
He was also given a year's community supervision and told to pay £250 compensation.
The court heard that a 71-year-old woman collecting her grandchildren from school had left her bag on a wall.
Less than half-an-hour later, Redfearn had made two withdrawals from cash machines.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article