DRUG user Stephen Hogg turned to crime to help wean himself off his addiction, a court was told.

He was struggling to sleep at night, so he helped himself to drink from a local store without paying for it, Bury magistrates heard. Hogg, aged 23, stole from the Co-op shop in Ramsbottom, and, although he was not seen by staff, CCTV cameras caught him stealing more than £40 worth of drink which he hid in a carrier bag. He also stole from the store two more times. Hogg, of Lepp Crescent, Bury, pleaded guilty to theft. He also admitted stealing six Playstation games, worth more than £200, from Tesco in Bury.

Hogg was said to have previously shown that he could respond to court orders, he was trying to tackle his drug problem and was keen to co-operate in any way he could to break the habit.

Hogg was given 12 months drug treatment and testing order. He was also ordered to pay compensation of £61.