A 38-YEAR-OLD drug addict has been praised by a district judge for tackling his problems and making 'miraculous' progress.

District Judge David Purcell told Carlton Callow that because of his efforts he was not going to be sent to prison straight away despite the latest offence putting him in breach of a suspended sentence.

Callow, of Norfolk Grove, Church, pleaded guilty to stealing toiletries worth £72 from Primark.

He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison suspended for 12 months with a 12 month drug rehabilitation requirement and ordered to pay £85 costs and £115 victim surcharge.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said on January 10 Callow was made subject to a suspended prison sentence with a curfew and community order requirements.

A probation officer said the defendant's supervising officer described his progress as 'nothing short of miraculous'.

District Judge Purcell said the first thing he was going to say to Callow was 'well done'.

"You are taking advantage of all the help that is being offered to you and because of all that hard work I am not going to send you to prison today," he said. "You have still got to keep on working to make sure you overcome your addiction."

Richard Prew, defending, said his client's drug addiction was deeply entrenched.

"There are some mental health issues as a result and it is going to take a long time and a lot of hard work to get him back to normal," said Mr Prew.