Stolen knickers stashed in van

David John Briggs, 52, of Cathedral Drive, Heaton-with-Oxcliffe, had previously pleaded guilty to stealing underwear from washing lines in three separate incidents.

Twelve other offences were taken into consideration.

Nicola Carney, prosecuting, said: “There where a number of reports in the Bowerham area and police did look for a suspicious man on July 23.

”They spotted him in a nearby alleyway. They knew he was trying to access the homes as it was easy to get into them this way.

“They found a suspicicous vehicle and asked to search the defendants address and vehicle.

“Within the van they found underwear hidden in a number of pillowcases.

“He said that had been stealing underwear from various washing lines and he had a problem that had got worse recently.

“He had trouble at home .”

Defending, John Batty said: “He fully admits and accepts what he has done.

“He is a working man, a family man who is facing this offence.

“He feels embarrassed for himself and its going to have an implication on his work and home. He’s clearly put all these matters behind him in the issues involved here. “

Chairman of the bench Mr Sandham: “We have accepted that you need help and your guilty plea for three offences. “

Briggs was givena community order with 18 months supervision, fined £50, and ordered to pay £40 court costs and £60 victim surcharge.