HEROIN addict Joao Acacio Laureano stole more than £60 of meat from the Co-op store at Isleham. But CCTV in the store caught Laureano on camera as he helped himself to a variety of meat packs, placing them in a carrier bag, and he was detained by police.

HEROIN addict Joao Acacio Laureano stole more than £60 of meat from the Co-op store at Isleham.

But CCTV in the store caught Laureano on camera as he helped himself to a variety of meat packs, placing them in a carrier bag, and he was detained by police.

The first theft took place on Boxing Day, and the second theft filmed on CCTV happened on January 13, Ely magistrates were told by prosecutor Matthew Bradbury.

Among the meat he stole were two gammon joints, lamb and beef joints, rump steak, pork chops and rib eye steak.

Laureano, 27, of Barkhams Lane, Littleport, admitted two offences of theft.

"He has an issue with heroin dependency," said Jacqui Baldwin, mitigating, "and has struggled with that for sometime.

"He has separated from his wife and 11-month old son, it is a sad situation."

The court revoked a 200-hour unpaid work order given to Laureano back in November, and gave him a new 12-month supervision order.

He must pay £62 compensation and £65 costs.