A YOUNG Leigh man involved in a string of offences because of his drug addiction has been ordered to carry out 80 hours community punishment.

Mark Bower of Findlay Street was also placed on probation for two years after admitting offences -- many of which involved his own family -- at Liverpool Crown Court.

Last June Police saw Bowers crash into a ditch on a motorcycle on which the engine and frame numbers had been removed. It was one of six stolen from an Astley-based motor cycle training school and Bowers said he had bought it for £40.

In December he took a computer game and accessories worth £400 from his mother's home but returned the goods just before Christmas. On Christmas Day he took his father's Kawasaki motorcycle without permission and later rang his dad to say he had crashed it.

In January he stole a £100 DVD player from his mother's home and when arrested said he was going to sell it to buy drugs. Later that month he was arrested for shoplifting and gave his brother's details.

Bower pleaded guilty to 11 offences including theft, driving without insurance and a licence. perverting course of justice and handling.

Geoffrey Whelan defending said Bower had been in custody since January 29. He began using illicit drugs when he was 11 and had used heroin since he was 17. Most of the victims of offences were his own family who were prepared to have him back.