The camera was still recording when well-known offender Brendan Ormonde (38) stole it three weeks after it was fitted on a house in Nairne Street. Ormonde, who has almost 150 previous convictions, was captured red-handed on film, looking straight into the camera, Burnley Magistrates' Court heard.

Jobless Ormonde was arrested, owned up and claimed he did it not for financial gain but because the camera was overlooking his friend's home. The defendant, of Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, admitted theft of the £120 camera. He was told he could have gone to jail, but was fined £70, and told to pay £120 compensation and a £15 surcharge.

The Bench, who made no order for costs, told Ormonde it was time he went on the straight and narrow.

Mr Andrew Robinson (prosecuting) said the Burnley Multi-Agency Problem Solving (MAPS) team put up the CCTV camera in Nairne Street because of problems with damage and burglary. It was erected on May 15th and stolen on June 5th.

Ormonde was filmed in the act and admitted it was him. The camera had not been recovered. The defendant, who did not try to burgle the property, had 134 previous convictions and last June was sent to prison for 52 weeks at Burnley Crown Court.

Mr Graeme Tindall (defending) said the theft was an act of drunken bravado. The camera overlooked Ormonde's friend's property.

The solicitor said: "He is certainly not going to win any prizes for criminal sophistication. It is perhaps most appropriate for the television show that shows criminals who do stupid things."