A BURGLAR was shopped by his own brother after "friends" of the victim bundled him into the back of a van and took him away.

Blackburn magistrates heard the brother was concerned for Michael Mullin's safety and police later found him at the premises he had burgled.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Mullin had been repeatedly hit with a hammer en-route to the scene of the crime and had been relieved to see the police turn up. He declined to make a complaint against the men but helped police recover most of the stolen property.

Mullin, 22, of Cherry Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to burglary at PCR Recyclers and theft of computer and electrical equipment worth £1,150. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Mr Taylor said the aggrieved were able to find out who had been responsible for the burglary.

"As a result some justice has already been administered to my client," said Mr Taylor.

"The police only became involved because his brother contacted them because he was concerned for my client's well-being.

"He was told his brother had been forced into the back of a van and he suspected he had been taken to the scene of the burglary offence."