A THIEF was sent to jail after telling magistrates that was the only way he could kick his drug habit.

Tony Steadman, of Leymoor Road, Golcar, admitted a string of thefts when he appeared before Kirklees magistrates.

The Huddersfield bench agreed to send him to prison after he claimed that he would be unable to comply with a community order in his current state.

They heard how he stole from various stores to support his drug habit of up to £50 a day.

Alex Bozman, prosecuting, said that the 26-year-old stole six cases of Haribo sweets over three days.

He stole the first two cases from Aldi in Milnsbridge on April 5.

Steadman then swiped an identical amount of confectionery the following day and on April 9, totalling £226.

On March 4 he stole meat products worth £100 from Sainsbury’s in Lindley.

Then on May 13, Steadman was caught stealing six jars of coffee from the BP Service Station on Manchester Road.

There he was challenged by a member of staff before running out of the shop.

Neil Murphy, defending, described Steadman as a “likeable rogue” who had battled a chronic drugs problem for some time.

He said: “It’s an insidious addiction, his offending is prompted by drugs.

“When he’s not on drugs he is amiable, when he’s on drugs he is an idiot.”

Mr Murphy said that his client felt that he needed to go to prison to get help with his addiction.

He said: “He doesn’t feel able to cope with any non-custodial sentence at this stage.

“If he is in custody he will have a break from the drugs.”

Magistrates sentenced Steadman to 16 weeks in custody.