AN ex-photographer pinched a roll of film as there was very little he could now do with his life, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told how David Trickett, 39, was "extremely ill," hardly went out and photography was now a hobby for him.

The court had previously been told the defendant was HIV positive but did not have AIDS.

Trickett, of Monmouth Street, Burnley, admitted theft and was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order.

The defendant was also resentenced for possessing a bladed instrument and two counts of police assault when he was last conditionally discharged in September, after trying to bite an officer.

He was told by the bench he had offended while subject to the conditional discharge and they had taken into account his illness.

Richard Taylor, defending, said Trickett was extremely ill and was also suffering from a skin disorder on his hands and feet.

He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, the property had been recovered and it was the first time in four years the defendant had been before a court for a dishonesty offence.

There was no threat to anybody or danger of violence to anybody.

In the past Trickett had worked as a photographer, there was very little he could do with his life and photography was his hobby. He shouldn't have taken the film.

Mr Taylor said Trickett did not go out anymore. He used to go out in Burnley but was victimised and he now only went out to do a bit of shopping or to see his children.

The solicitor added there was no need to resentence for the offences for which Trickett had been conditionally discharged, as they were of a completely different nature.