A MAN caught stealing from a Blackburn store managed to escape from security staff but not the surveillance equipment.

Blackburn magistrates heard Joseph Peter McNally was tracked by cameras as he fled from Asda and was filmed going into B&M.

And when he tried to steal from that shop he was arrested by police.

McNally, 38, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to two charges of shop theft. He was given a conditional discharge for 18 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £22 victim surcharge.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, said McNally went into Asda at 6.05pm and put eight Pokemon toys, worth £84, into a bag before going to the till and paying for a newspaper and leaving.

“He was challenged by security staff but ran off,” said Mrs Ward.

“He was followed by the CCTV cameras into B&M where he committed the second theft. He was detained as he left and told police he was going to sell the items to buy food.”

Gareth Price, defending, said his client’s last conviction was in 2011.

“I hope you will treat this as a blip rather than a return to criminality,” said Mr Price. “The offences were committed shortly before Christmas and at the time he was struggling financially.

“He knew he could sell the items he stole to raise money to buy food.”