A BURGLAR who got lost in Bolton town then centre gave his name to police who found him wandering on the streets.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Bruce Knowles got involved with a criminal gang because he claimed that he wanted to raise money to buy some Christmas presents for his children.

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The gang travelled to the town on the evening of November 24 to target the Three mobile phone store on Deansgate.

David Lees, prosecuting, said the gang broke into the shop and took 89 mobile phones, worth a total of £27,000 and caused a further £9,000 damage to other stock.

But 23-year-old Knowles became separated from his accomplices, claiming in court he had decided to pull out of the crime, and got lost in Bolton town centre, the court heard.

Police came across him and took his details before letting him go.

As he had given them his real identity, he was arrested the following day by officers who were investigating the break in.

Several phones and a tablet were found at his home.

Knowles, of Leyland Road, Burnley, pleaded guilty to burglary.

He was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, supervision by the probation service for 12 months and 200 hours’ unpaid work.