A MAN who indecently exposed himself after attacking a cash machine and a petrol station window with a hammer was later found sitting inside a takeaway eating a curry.

Blackburn magistrates heard Anwar Uddin Khan had used the hammer to smash a window at Poppadom City in Nelson but told police the manager was a friend of his.

The court was told the bizarre series of incidents happened at a time when Khan, who had only one motoring conviction on his record, had stopped taking his medication.

Khan, 39, of Browseholme Avenue, Burnley, pleaded guilty to burglary at Poppadom City with intent to steal, going equipped for theft with a hammer, a screwdriver and a torch, criminal damage to a glass window belonging to Hollins Bank Service Station, Manchester Road, Nelson, damaging a safety glass window valued at £780 belonging to Yusuf Mullah, and indecently exposing his genitals. He was made subject to a community order for 10 months with a 10 month mental health treatment requirement and 20 days rehabilitation activity. He was ordered to pay £300 compensation to Hollins Bank Service Station and £100 to Poppadom City.

Paul Sumner, prosecuting, said staff at the petrol station heard a loud bang at about 2.30 am and then saw Khan with the hammer in his hand. He threatened to smash the window of the service station and then carried out his threat. The original bang had been him hitting the cash machine.

"Before walking off he pulled his pants down and made vulgar comments about what he would do to the witness' mother," said Mr Sumner.

Police were called an hour later to a report of a man breaking into Poppadom City. They found the defendant inside the shop, behind the counter, eating a curry.

He told police; "I knew it was shut but I know the manager and I was hungry."

Police searched Khan and found the screwdriver and torch and the hammer was recovered from the shop.

Gareth Price, defending, said the offences went back some 13 months and were linked to a period when his client had not been complying with his medical regime.

"That clearly had a negative effect on his behaviour," said Mr Price.

"When he is complying, as he is now, he does not get into trouble."