A TEENAGER who helped himself to a charity box which contained cash for brain damaged children, is behind bars for a total of nine months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Robert Norris, 19, was also found by members of staff in a doctor's surgery and later tried to get sleeping tablets with an altered prescription.

Norris, of Chapelhouse Road, Nelson, had earlier admitted burglary, theft, attempted theft and attempted deception and had been committed for sentence by the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale magistrates.

Kendal Lindley, prosecuting, said the defendant went into a Nelson market, loaded up a bin bag with crisps and was spotted by a security officer as he threw it over a wall.

He was arrested and bailed and was later spotted by a police officer as he tried to take a telphone from the window in Argos. He was detained and arrested.

Mr Lindley said Norris went to a post office on the pretext of getting a driving licence and while the postmaster was distracted, made off with the charity box.

Members of staff found him in one of the surgeries at Brierfield Health Centre, searching through drawers and he was arrested.

Norris later went to Nelson Health Centre and produced a prescription for diazepam, which had been altered from three to 13 tablets.

It was noticed by the doctor and Norris was arrested again after police were called.