In order to scrape together cash to attend a family funeral, Barry Howgate pawned a television and two laptops he had not paid for, magistrates were told.

The 55-year-old was still paying instalments to Bright House, the shop where he bought them, when he handed them over at Cash Converters, in Keighley.

Magistrates in Bingley heard that Howgate, of Bankfield Drive, Braith-waite, who pleaded guilty to theft, then stopped paying the instalments.

The three items had cost him a total of £1,438 but he still owed £1,878 in interest.

Maria Temko, for Howgate, said he had intended buying back the items and had not bought them to immediately pawn them.

He had been forced into the action because he needed cash for a family bereavement, she said.

Howgate was conditionally discharged for nine months and ordered to pay £369 compensation.