A DRUG user snatched a children’s hospital charity bucket from a hotel reception desk and ran off.

Blackburn magistrates heard weeks earlier Dylan Lewis had committed a string of shoplifting offences.

And he told police he was stealing to fund his heroin habit and had not committed any crime until he became addicted to the drug.

Lewis, 28, of Addison Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to two charges of stealing vodka from Morrisons, stealing fragrances worth £108 from Debenhams and theft of a charity bucket belonging to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

He was made subject to a community order for nine months with 10 days’ rehabilitation activity requirement and a six months’ drug rehabilitation requirement. He was ordered to pay £189 compensation.

The chairman of the magistrates said it was clear Lewis was trying to sort himself out and equally clear that he needed help.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said Lewis had walked into the reception area at the Premier Inn in Blackburn town centre and snatched the charity bucket before running off.

Ian Huggan, defending, said his client’s difficulties with drugs had only started earlier this year.

Around the time of the offences he had been the victim of a robbery and there had been problems with his benefits and he was left without money.

“He particularly regrets the theft of the charity bucket because in the past he has done voluntary work for charities and he knows how important donations are,” said Mr Huggan.

Founded in 1982, Great Ormond Street Hospital is an international centre of excellence in child healthcare.

The London-based hospital receives 252,389 out-patient visits and 43,778 in-patient visits every year.