AN 18-year-old Blackburn man was caught in the hot seat after a moped was stolen from outside a house.

Blackburn magistrates heard that a gang of youths who congregated near a youth shelter had been riding the moped after the ignition barrel had been damaged.

But when a police patrol arrived on the scene it was Darrell John McDermott who was sitting on the bike and who was arrested.

McDermott, 18, of Carnforth Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to unauthorised taking of a vehicle, driving without insurance and other than in accordance with a licence. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and fined £200 with £70 costs.

Stephen Parker, defending, said his client appreciated the machine had been stolen but didn't know the details.

"Everyone was having a go but when the police arrived he had borrowed the helmet and just happened to be the person on the bike," added Mr Parker.