A GAMBLING addict turned to crime after his debts spiralled out of control.

Shane Summers committed a string of jewellery thefts to fund his addiction, Kirklees magistrates were told.

But instead of using the cash to pay off his massive debt worth thousands of pounds, he went straight to place his latest bet.

Yesterday the 29-year-old was told that his case was so serious that he faces a crown court judge.

Summers, of Lister Street, Moldgreen, admitted two thefts of jewellery from stores in Huddersfield town centre.

On December 28 he admitted stealing a gold chain valued at £350 from the Market Street branch of Cash Converters.

On January 9, Summers stole two gold bracelets worth £900 from Yorkshire Jewellers at Market Avenue.

Summers also asked magistrates to take four similar offences into consideration.

Andrew Dinning, prosecuting, said that all of the offences were virtually identical.

He told magistrates that Summers had gone into the stores, asked to see the jewellery and then bolted when these were handed to him.

Police arrested Summers from a bookmakers, Mr Dinning said.

He said: “He was very frank with police, he said that he had a gambling addiction.

“He said that he was in debt to his mum by £20,000, owed a loan shark £12,000 and £900 to other people.

“He told police that he couldn’t help going to the bookmakers and spending the money rather than paying it back.

“He’s struggling to fund a habit that won’t go away.”

The prosecutor told magistrates that Summers didn’t come into the court system until 2012, when he committed 11 thefts.

Summers was given a suspended prison sentence on April 2012 by Wakefield magistrates, which he was still subject to at the time of the latest thefts.

He has since been told to leave the family home, magistrates heard.

Mike Sisson-Pell, mitigating, described his client as vulnerable as he has learning difficulties.

He said: “He’s vulnerable when it comes to addictions and only started offending when he started gambling.

“His offending has escalated as the gambling continues and he has to repay his debts.

“When he steals to repay his debts he is tempted to gamble.”

Mr Sisson-Pell told magistrates that the idea of prison filled his client with fear and would not help address his problem.

Magistrates told Summers that he should be sentenced by a crown court judge.

This will take place at Leeds Crown Court on February 7.

Summers was remanded in custody until that date.