Sackfuls of balls were gathered in one night

The two men had fished out 1,158 balls with nets and had placed them in two sacks, when police were alerted by a burglar alarm sounding in the clubhouse at Whetstone Golf Club.

When they were charged with theft they said lost balls belonged to no-one and they were were within their rights to take and sell them.

But the jury rejected that argument.

The court heard Collinson had travelled the country to pursue his business.

'No remorse'

He had even gone back to Whetstone for another dip after his arrest.

Passing sentence, Judge Richard Bray told him: "This has been going on for 10 years.

"It is obvious you show no remorse and no intention of quitting.

I am stunned, I cannot believe it

Sheila Collinson Defendant's mother

"You had one warning, which you blatantly refused to heed.

"Even after this offence you were back and stole there again while on bail."

Speaking after her son's sentence, Sheila Collinson said: "I am stunned, I cannot believe it.

"It is just like it is not happening... I cannot sleep or eat, it is just awful."

Rostron, of Eaves Lane, Chorley, was also convicted of theft and going equipped to steal.

He said he had since given up retrieving balls and was conditionally discharged for 12 months, and ordered to pay �400 costs.