AN Inland Revenue clerk who tried to cash a stolen cheque after threats from drugs pushers, has walked free from court.

Burnley Magistrates heard Gavin Peter Marr, 27, had now got debts to the tune of about £10,000 which his father was trying to sort out for him.

Marr, who had held a junior position, was suffering from depression, was now on benefits but had taken steps to address his drug problems.

The defendant, of Lockyer Avenue, Burnley, had earlier admitted theft, attempted theft and four counts of forgery, on February 28, last year. He had no previous convictions.

He was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order and told to pay a total of £169 costs. Marr was told by the bench he had been in a position of trust.

There had been some degree of planning on the offences, but he had shown remorse.

Reedley Magistrates had earlier been told a tax refund of £394 was paid to a Mr Whirttle.

He did not have a bank account and it was returned to the Inland Revenue office at Burnley.

Marr, who was working in the postroom, later tried to cash the cheque and compiled P45 and P50 forms to show to staff where he was trying to cash it.

The defendant later owned up to what he had done.

Basil Dearing, defending, had earlier told the justices how Marr got into debt with people who supplied drugs and as he became unable to pay threats were made.

Mr Dearing, who said the defendant was "put up," to the offences, said he had not been heavily into drugs but his debts just happened to be with those people.

Since the offences, nearly a year ago, he had been off work suffering from depression and the offences had ben hanging over for that time.

The solicitor had added it had been a terrible blow for Marr and his family to have to face what had happened.