HEROIN addict Gary Bourne has been jailed for six months after committing a string of thefts to fund his £40 a day habit.

The 24-year-old stole hundreds of pounds worth of goods in shoplifting sprees across the town despite being on bail and on a drug treatment and testing order.

Bourne was put on the order in November last year after a probation order was revoked for the second time.

On February 17 this year he was arrested after being caught stealing four cycle light sets worth £119.96 from Halfords.

A week later he was caught with three boxes of Celebration chocolates worth £12.87 which he had taken from the Co-op in Sussex Square.

He then failed to surrender to custody on March 14 and April 3 before being caught two days later taking DVDs worth £82.97 from Tesco with another man who also had a foil lined bag.

Bourne was again freed on bail but two weeks later he was caught with a foil lined bag stealing five compact discs worth £74.95 from WH Smith.

Magistrates heard that he was released once more but arrested on Sunday/(May 12) after being caught stealing a Sony CD Walkman worth £49.99 from Currys.

Bourne, of Naunton Road, Walcot, admitted five thefts, a going equipped to steal, two failing to surrender to custody and breaching a DTTO, for which he was to be re-sentenced.

Lee Mott, defending, said that his client had been put on the DTTO for about 15 thefts which were all relatively low value shop lifting.

He said "On every occasion he has admitted what he has done and bee co-operative with the police. He has explained why he has done it as he has a two to three bag a day heroin habit which costs him from £30 to £40.

"He does need help but at this particular juncture he has not been able to take it. he realises he has got himself into a terrible position. It is one of the unfortunate situations where heroin has got the better of someone."