A DRUG addict stole a laptop from his friend to get money for drugs, Huddersfield magistrates heard yesterday.
Paul Hogan, 26, of Chesil Bank, Quarmby, stole the £330 laptop from his friend after a drunken night and sold it for £40 to buy drugs.
He pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared before magistrates yesterday.
Prosecutor Carol Langford told the court that on March 6 this year Hogan was at the house of his friend Paul Goodwin in Lockwood.
They had been drinking and the following morning when Mr Goodwin woke up Hogan had gone, as had his laptop.
Hogan initially denied stealing the laptop and became irate and upset when asked.
He told Mr Goodwin that he did not steal it but he did know who had, but didn’t name the person.
He later confessed that it was him because he needed money to pay his dealer for drugs.
Jonathan Slawinski, defending Hogan, said: “He was drunk, stupid and is remorseful about it.
“They are still friends and he’s still mending bridges.
“This offence took place when they were both drunk and although drink isn’t an issue for Hogan, drugs are a problem for him.
“He’s now motivated to deal with the drugs problem.”
Magistrates gave Hogan credit for his guilty plea and ordered him to serve a six- month community order and to work with a drug rehabilitation requirement.
He was also ordered to pay £330 compensation for the stolen laptop.
