A BUS passenger who decided to steal CCTV cameras installed on the vehicle was filmed by the items he was nicking.

Blackburn magistrates heard both cameras captured close up images of Joseph Thomas Fox as he unscrewed the devices.

Fox, 52, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to theft of two CCTV cameras worth £388 belonging to Transdev. He was given a conditional discharge for 24 months .

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the CCTV footage showed sitting on the bus from Preston to Blackburn.

"He suddenly seemed to notice the cameras and unscrewed both of them before getting off the bus in Blackburn," said Miss Allan.

Gareth Price, defending, said Fox, who appeared on video link from Preston Prison, was on the bus for some time before he appeared to notice the cameras.

"While he has been in custody he has been talking to Shelter and he hopes that when he is released there will be some accommodation available to him."