A 24-year-old Blackburn man put himself firmly in the frame after using his father's credit card to join a gym which required a photo-membership card, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Intizar Hussain Shah also used the card to make two £300 cash withdrawals while his dad was on holiday in Pakistan. A charge of obtaining the services of the Elite Escort Agency by deception had previously been discharged after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Shah, of Wimberley Banks, pleaded guilty to obtaining membership of the Classic World of Fitness by deception, and two of theft of cash from Barclaycard. He was ordered to do 60 hours community punishment and pay compensation.

Phillipa White, prosecuting, said Shah had initially denied any involvement in the offences, which took place after the Barclaycard and pin number had been posted to the home of Mr Shah senior while he was out of the country.

"He was unable to explain how it was his photograph appeared on the gym membership card," said Mrs White.

Basharat Ditta, defending, said his client's father had forgiven Shah for what had been a totally unsophisticated offence.