A Nelson man who tried to save a friend from being accused of damage was arrested when they swapped shirts.
Mohammed Nawaz, 24, a performing arts student, admitted police obstruction.
The defendant, of Oxford Road, who has a similar previous conviction, was given a 12-month conditional discharge by Burnley magistrates and ordered to pay £50 costs.
Bill Rawstron, defending, said Nawaz was concerned the friend had a relative who was in the police and that the shame and embarrassment would be too great for his family.
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