A REFORMING heroin addict turned to shoplifting to try to finance the purchase of methadone to replace the prescription drugs stolen from his room.
Blackburn magistrates heard it was the first offence Stephen Jackson had committed in four years, which defence solicitor Andrew Church-Taylor said was testament to his success in battling against drugs.
Jackson, 33, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing items worth £14 from Asda. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months, fined £20 for failing to answer bail and ordered to pay £20 costs.
Mr Church-Taylor said Jackson had been a regular attender at court until 1998 when he had sought the assistance of the community drugs team with considerable success.
When his methadone was stolen from his room at the bed and breakfast accommodation where he was staying he had tried to get a replacement prescription before turning to shoplifting.
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