A FAMILY returned from holiday to find a number of ornaments, including a £2,500 bronze statue of a girl, had been stolen from their garden.

And Blackburn magistrates heard the statue and other items were sold to a Darwen second-hand shop for £80.

The "vendors" had been given an indication of its true value by the first person they tried to sell it to.

Damian Parker, 34, of the Salvation Army Hostel, Heaton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods.

He was remanded on bail until December 22.

Magistrates ordered the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

Charlotte Crane, prosecuting, said that as well as the bronze, two stone griffin statues and a patio heater had been stolen from the home of Julie Lamb, in Langho.