A DRUG addict who went out thieving has kept his freedom after his solicitor told a court there was hope for him.

Burnley Magistrates had been told how Christopher Anthony Chapman was doing his best to fight his heroin habit and was terrified of the prospect of jail.

Chapman, 20, of Hart Street, Burnley, admitted two counts of theft from vehicles. He was given a six month curfew order from 7pm until 7am, every day of the week. The defendant must also pay £50 compensation, but the bench made no order for costs.

Richard Taylor, defending, said Chapman was extremely frightened. He was concerned about his fate, but his main problem was that he did not think about that when he was offending.

In the past he had been fined, given conditional discharges and community rehabilitation and was now before the court again for offences of dishonesty.

The defendant's grandmother was very supportive of him and she had noticed a change in him over the last three weeks. He had been staying in at night rather than going out with the people he used to associate with.

Chapman hoped to get off heroin and to be able to lead a law abiding life. He was a non violent 20 year old who had proved to the courts that despite a difficult upbringing, he could stay out of trouble.

Mr Taylor went on:"There is hope here. The probation service are keen to work with him and hopefully he will stay out of trouble in the future." The solicitor added the offences were committed with a person who was far more heavily convicted than Chapman.