A THIEF stole a friend's three piece suite then offered her cash not to tell the police.

Burnley Magistrates heard that Robert Caddis, 30, sold the furniture for £50 to an antique shop and also allowed men he owed cash to to take the victim's fridge freezer.

Caddis, who had been allowed keys to the house to store property, escaped a jail sentence.

Caddis, of William Street, Colne, admitted theft. He was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order, to include the Addressing Substance Related Offending programme and ordered to pay £50 compensation.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, said Caddis offered the victim £80 not to involve the police. A police officer had seen the three piece suite being taken from the woman's home, but Caddis told him he had permission to move it. The defendant had 43 previous convictions.

Geoff Ireland, defending, said Caddis had a bad record, but had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.