A YOUTH turned to crime when he became a 'slave to drugs,' Burnley magistrates heard.
Christopher Chapman, 20, owed money to dealers who had visited the day he helped himself to goods worth more than £200 from Asda. Chapman, of Hunslett Street, Burnley, admitted theft and was given a 12 months community rehabilitation order with £35 costs.
The court was told the defendant told police he would keep the groceries in the haul and sell the alcohol to buy drugs. He said he only used a small amount of heroin a day but was a slave to drugs.
Nick Dearing, defending, said Chapman was in substantial debt. He showed some willingness to overcome his addiction and had previously been a man of some potential. He had found it hard to come off drugs and he was going to need help in finding accommodation of his own and work.
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