A MAN who took a pair of trousers from a rail in a Bolton shop and immediately went to try claiming a refund on them was caught by security staff.

Security guards at Marks and Spencer spotted Anthony Brierley with several items in his hand and an empty bag on August 23 last year.

At Bolton Crown Court Michael Wallbank, prosecuting, told how 56-year-old Brierley then disappeared behind a display stand and emerged holding fewer items.

He then headed to the customer services desk, where he requested a refund on a pair of trousers and was given a £39.50 credit note.

When arrested, Brierley, of Walmersley Road, Bury, told police he had made a mistake and was confused because of medication he was taking for stress and nerves.

But when store security staff checked, they found that Brierley had also visited the store on August 18 and been given two credit notes for goods within 30 minutes of each other.

Brierley, who had pleaded guilty to three charges of fraud at a previous court hearing, was given a 12 month conditional discharge by Judge Stephen Everett.

The judge said: “You have never been in trouble before.

“I hope this is the first and last time you’ll be before the courts.”