A BUILDER'S labourer said to have attacked a woman in an unprovoked assault at her home has been jailed for 28 days.

Former drug addict Stuart Robert Leeming, 25, who also helped himself to £129 from a cafe, had used heroin for nine years but was now proud of himself as he had been able to get up in time to go to work, a court heard.

Leeming, of Bradshaw Street, Nelson, who was in breach of a community order, admitted assault, four counts of theft and failing to surrender.

Sue Campbell, prosecuting, said Leeming asked the assault victim if she wanted to buy some pills. She refused, but Leeming tried again later. The woman refused and tried to push Leeming out but he resisted and punched her in the face and left.

Richard Taylor, defending, said Leeming had been a heroin addict for nine years. He did not comply with the order because he had been offered work for the first time in seven years.

He had not been using heroin and had been on medication, but had continued to offend.