AN unemployed plumber obtained thousands of pounds worth of tools and equipment from merchants by claiming to be employed by different firms.

David John Bird used the proceeds of his deceptions to pay off drug debts after dealers started to threaten him, Blackburn magistrates were told.

Bird, of Bradford Street, Bolton, pleaded guilty to three offences of obtaining property by deception and asked for seven offences to be taken into consideration.

He also pleaded guilty to four offences of shoplifting. He was remanded on bail until August 4, for the preparation of pre-sentence reports with a warning that all options, including custody, will be open to the sentencing bench.

David Macro, prosecuting, said Bird had obtained £565 worth of equipment from Heating Replacement Parts and then returned to the shop two days later when staff became suspicious and he was detained.

Among the offences he asked to be taken into consideration were goods worth £1,300, £3,000, £486, £546 and £2,500.

He then travelled to Blackburn where he obtained a power washer and other equipment worth £1,282, from PSL Tool Hire on Burnley Road.

On each occasion he asked for the goods to be put on the accounts of various firms but he had nothing to do with these firms and it was just a scam, said Mr Macro.

Richard Costello, prosecuting, said Bird's heroin habit was behind all the offences. He said Bird was a plumbing and heating engineer by trade and had managed to fund his habit from his earnings until he lost his job.

Eventually he owed money to drug dealers and he was being threatened said Mr Costello.

He added: "These are not legitimate businessmen and their collection methods are not pleasant. They have been paid off by the commission of these offences."