A MAN caught stealing a trolley load of goods from a supermarket was said to be doing 'the wrong thing for the right reasons'.

Blackburn magistrates heard Martin Anthony Baines was stealing to raise money to pay off his girlfriend's drug dealers who were demanding payment of debts.

The court was told he had come home on one occasion and found her being savagely beaten by her creditors.

And he had already served a prison sentence for shoplifting offences committed to assist his partner.

Baines, 28, whose current address was not revealed in court, pleaded guilty to stealing food items worth £219 from Asda in Colne on January 30.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Baines was seen by a security guard filling a trolley and then trying to leave the store without paying.

"He admitted the offence and said he was doing it on the direction of someone else to pay off a debt," said Mr Robinson.

Nick Dearing, defending, said his client found himself before the court for doing the wrong thing for the right reasons.

He said Baines had formed a relationship with a young lady a few years ago.

She relapsed into using heroin, started disappearing from the home address for days on end and ended up in debt to dealers.

"On a number of occasions she was physically assaulted and they threatened more if he didn't get money for them," said Mr Dearing.

"She wouldn't give up the drugs and he eventually told the police what was going on."

Mr Dearing said Baines and his girlfriend were now living in a bed and breakfast having been moved away from Colne for their own safety.

Imposing a conditional discharge the chairman of the magistrates said they were giving Baines and his partner the chance to re-settle and make a fresh start.