A BURY man due for sentencing on charges of stealing from his employer and handling stolen goods, suddenly tried to change his plea in respect of one offence when he appeared before Rochdale magistrates.

Jason Noble, 26, of Downham Crescent, Bury, had previously admitted the theft of £200 worth of catalogue items from Index, Pilsworth, Bury, where he was employed as a warehouseman, and one offence of handling a quantity of stolen goods also belonging to Index.

The case had been adjourned for pre-sentence reports with all options, including imprisonment to be taken into consideration.

The court heard however that Noble had insisted to the probation officer compiling the report that he had "done nothing wrong," and was innocent of theft, although he admitted handling stolen items. He said he had been confused and had originally intended to plead not guilty, but had acted on advice.

His lawyer, Mr David Hewitt, said for professional reasons, he would be in difficulty continuing to represent Noble, and asked leave to withdraw from the case which the court granted.

The case was adjourned until May 4 for Noble to obtain other legal advice.

Proceedings arose out of the discovery by security men at Pilsworth of a bag of items stolen from the company, which had been placed in a wall opening near Noble's work station. Noble insisted the bag had nothing to do with him.

Police who went to his home address found stolen electrical items which Noble said he had bought from a man in a pub. Noble told the court he would continue to admit the handling charge.