Thief trapped by his tattoos

4:21pm Friday 10th August 2007

WITHIN minutes of a woman leaving her handbag on a school wall her bank card was being used to make cash withdrawals from a machine.

Blackburn magistrates heard that police were able to identify tattooist Andrew Redfearn from CCTV footage because of the distinctive tattoos on his arms.

Redfearn, 24, of Dan-vers Street, Rishton, pleaded guilty to theft of a handbag and contents and two charges of theft of cash. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Scott Ainge, prosecut-ing, said a Mrs Khan had gone to Holy Trinity School to collect her grandchildren and had left her handbag on a wall.

"Unfortunately her pin number was in the bag along with her bank card and within half an hour there had been two withdrawals from her account," said Mr Ainge.

Kevin Preston, defending, said Redfearn had not actually taken the bag but accepted it and used the card.

He said Redfearn had been forced to close his tattoo shop when the lease was terminated and this had led to financial difficulties.

"The police were able to identify him from his tattoos so everything has come full circle," said Mr Preston.