A SHOPLIFTER felt the full force of the law - after picking a fight with a former World's Strongest Man finalist.

And 22-stone Lee Bowers, of Alderhill Street, Earby, said he did not even break sweat dealing with 19-year-old thief Lee McLeod.

Burnley Magistrates heard how McLeod had pinched chicken from Colne Asda as he was hungry.

When confronted by security guard Mr Bowers he refused to go with the officer, tried to barge his way past and then went "wild", the court was told.

However, McLeod was no match for Mr Bowers, 39, who still competes in international strongman and ju-jitsu competitions.

McLeod, of Mason Street, Colne, tried in vain to struggle free and was then calmed down before he was arrested.

Mr Bowers, a married father-of-two, said: "When I asked him to go back to the security office he was not happy and started struggling.

"The struggle itself was not a problem for me I did not even break sweat.

"Once he accepted he was not going to get away he accepted his fate.

"I am lucky enough to be of a size and inclination where I can handle myself.

"My training where you always deal with a situation on a physical and physiological level helped me."

McLeod admitted stealing groceries following the incident which happened on October 5. His solicitor Graeme Tindall had told the court: "If it is the same Lee Bowers I think it is, he picked the wrong man."

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, said the defendant paid for some lager but hid chicken pieces in his jacket and refused to go quietly.

The defendant accepted he had had enough money for the lager but not the food and was hungry as he had not eaten all day. He had no previous convictions.

Mr Bowers, who is married to Tracy, 37, and has two daughters Leonie, 11 and, Rebecca, seven, added: "It is a shame when it gets to the point you cannot buy food or you would rather buy alcohol instead of food. It is sad really."

Mr Bowers reached the finals of the World's Strongest Man Competition in 1998 and 1999 and graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in 2004 with a sports management degree.

This year he represented Great Britain in the World Team Strongman Championships in Ukraine and also competed in another strongman contest in Iceland.

Mr Bowers said he had to pull out of the World Strongest Man finals in 1998 because of food poisoning.

He added: "There is a bit of unfinished business there and I am trying to work my way back up the rankings to get back where I can compete with the very best.

"I believe I am capable of that."