A CHRONIC hard drugs addict who tricked his way to almost £400 from a couple who had offered him shelter and help was spared jail.

Burnley magistrates heard how Philip Brearley, 27, used a cash card belonging to the victims, who were trying to get him back on his feet.

In return for their kindness, he took the spare card, which was kept in the same place as the PIN, and went and withdrew money from a cash machine in Bacup.

Brearley, now a new dad and who is still taking heroin, admitted seven counts of fraud by false representation, between April 8 and 15, totalling £370.

The defendant, of Bacup Road, Hareholme, Rawtenstall, also pleaded guilty to a shoplifting offence when he did a £176 ‘trolley dash’ at a shop in Oldham.

He was given 90 days in jail, suspended for a year, with a six-month drugs programme.

Brearley must also pay £250 compensation.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, said the defendant had denied the fraud allegations and his case had been adjourned for trial.

While on bail, he went stealing from the shop, helping himself to chocolate, crisps and other goods.

He was stopped on the way out of the store and the items recovered.

Brearley had a record for theft and burglary and had been to jail.

Sue Robinson, for Brearley, said he had had a serious drug problem for 10 years.

He had managed to stay out of trouble between last July and April this year.

The defendant had gone from taking three to four bags of heroin and three or four stones of crack cocaine every day to using heroin about twice a week.

He accepted he still needed some help to avoid slipping back into his old ways.

Miss Robinson said sending the defendant to custody would not help his addiction.

His life had now taken a turn for the better. He and his partner had had a baby in May and he was in settled accommodation.

The solicitor said: “Custody holds no fear for him whatsoever.

"It is, in fact, an easy option for the defendant.”