A MAN claimed he had been forced to commit a burglary to pay off a friend's drug debt.

Blackburn magistrates heard Ryan Ash was traced after blood found on a tissue inside the shop provided a DNA hit.

Ash, 28, of Elizabeth Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to burglary at Cash Generator and theft of three bikes worth a total of £1,027. He was jailed for 36 weeks after the magistrates were told he had received a custodial sentence in May and was still subject to Post Sentence Supervision.

Suzanne Ludlow, prosecuting, said staff at the Kierby Walk shop had left it secure the night before and returned to find a window had been smashed to gain access from a flat roof.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client was alone at a friends address when a number of men came in and removed property.

"They told him what they had taken was not enough to settle his friend's debt," said Mr Taylor. "He said that was nothing to do with him and at that point he was beaten, tied up and subjected to various threats."

Mr Taylor said Ash was ordered to work off the debt on behalf of his fiend.

"He was told where to go and what to take," said Mr Taylor. "He cut himself getting into the building. The bikes were handed over to pay off his friend's debt which had nothing to do with him."