A MAN who was caught on CCTV stealing a charity box said he couldn't believe he had done it until he was shown the footage.

Blackburn magistrates heard Adam James Rickhuss told officers he was "ashamed and disgusted" with himself.

Rickhuss, 40, of Canterbury Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft of a charity box belonging to Cancer Research UK. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £30 compensation.

Alex Mann said staff at the charity shop on Townsmoor retail park noticed the donation box had been removed from the till area and checked CCTV. It showed Rickhuss cutting the tie and removing the box.

Rickhuss said he suffered from a split personality and at the time had not been taking his medication.

"I really can't remember doing it," he said.

"It knocked me sick watching the CCTV, it's not something I would normally do."