A DRUG addict repaid the Good Samaritans who let him stay in their home by stealing hundreds of pounds of their cash and property.

But today grandparents Pat and George Judson blamed evil dealers for the crimes and told thief Iain Nightingale -- "We forgive you."

The Judsons, of Bromley Street, Blackburn, met Nightingale, 28, when he joined St Barnabas' Church, John Street, where they have worshipped for about four years.

He told them he was unhappy at his home in Union House, St Peter Street, due to problems from his drugs past, so they let him stay in their home when they went on holiday to Spain in July.

But they returned to find their vacuum cleaner missing, along with their pension books, which Nightingale used to claim more than £600 from Post Offices in Blackburn and Bridport, Dorset.

Blackburn Magistrates heard yesterday that Nightingale had confessed the crimes because of a sense of "overwhelming guilt."

He admitted two charges of theft and three of obtaining by deception and asked for a further three charges of obtaining property by deception to be taken into account.

Today Mrs Judson, 57, a retired care assistant who has 11 grandchildren, said: "He was like a son to us and he's a lovely lad, who would do anything for anybody.

"We're Christians and all part of a family. I may not like what he's done but I still love him. If he came to the door now I would tell him that.

"It's the people who sell the drugs and put pressure on people that are evil, and Iain just wasn't strong enough at that time. He had told us people were putting pressure on him.

"The Church has done so much for us and it can do a lot for him."

Mr Judson, 69, a former fitter, said: "The backing we have had from the church has been wonderful. Maybe it's partly our fault for leaving him with so much temptation.

"He deserves a kick up the backside but they need to come down harder on the people who give these drugs out."

Nightingale was made subject to a 12-month community rehabilitation order with a condition he attends a substance related offending programme.

He was ordered to pay £265 compensation to Mr and Mrs Judson and £150 to the Post Office.

Clare Knight, defending, said Nightingale was extremely sorry for what he had done.

She said: "He came to our office and said he felt awful about what he had done and we made arrangements for the police to pick him up.

"He made full admissions and was clearly overwhelmed with guilt."

Miss Knight said Nightingale owed a great deal of money and it would come as no surprise that he still had a drug habit.