UNEMPLOYED plumber Andrew Bell intended to put a little warmth back into his marriage by taking his wife out for a meal. But his method of raising the necessary funds landed him before the courts.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Bell went into a Darwen builders merchants and tried to get two gas fires on account. He claimed they were for his employers, BAS Construction, of Manchester Road, Burnley.

But the assistant became suspicious and phoned the firm, who confirmed that Bell did not work for them.

Bell, 26, of Earnsdale Road, Darwen, pleaded guilty to attempting to obtain property by deception. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £75 costs.

Phillip Potter, prosecuting, said that Bell became agitated when the assistant refused to hand over the fires.

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said Bell had worked since leaving school until last year, when he was involved in an accident at work. As a result, he had not been able to work and this had caused friction at home because he was not contributing to the family finances.

"He decided to try and make amends by taking his wife out for a meal," said Mr Blacklidge.