A DRUG-addicted criminal who repaid the help of a Cliviger solicitor by stealing £6,000 worth of good from his home has been jailed for nine months.

Victim Richard Rawsthorn had repeatedly given cash to Big Issue seller James John McConnell, 35, after he befriended him in Manchester where the solicitor practises.

McConnell had also attended the lawyer's local chapel, but repaid his kindness by helping himself to three saxophones, a trumpet, two digital cameras and two laptop computers after Mr Rawsthorn took him on as a cleaner to try and help him.

McConnell, desperate for funds to feed his long-time habit, even got £20 from the victim the day after the theft and went on to later ask him for more money, saying he needed it to buy the property back, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The hearing was told how McConnell, a convicted robber who has served time, had called Mr Rawsthorn a 'horrible man' when he refused to hand over any more cash and that he had the same opinion of a judge.

Recorder Alan Conrad, QC, who said the victim was 'a thoroughly decent and generous man', told the defendant: "This was despicable behaviour towards a man who had shown you and continued to show you only kindness and generosity."

As he was led away from the dock, McConnell turned to the judge and said: "I hope you choke to death.

"You are a horrible man."

McConnell, of Eliza Street, Hulme, Manchester, had earlier admitted theft last November and had been committed for sentence by Burnley Magistrates.

Amos Waldman, for McConnell, said his client had apologised to the victim and would say Mr Rawsthorn had forgiven him and offered further support.

At one stage last year Mr Rawsthorn - a partner in Manchester-based firm Lawsons - was set to stand for the UK Independence Party in the 2010 General Election, before standing down.