FEEDING a £50 a day habit for heroin and crack cocaine led Daniel Gillett on a six-week stealing spree, magistrates heard this week. But the stealing came to an end when he was caught making off with a £180 toy from Woolworths by a couple of off-duty poli

FEEDING a £50 a day habit for heroin and crack cocaine led Daniel Gillett on a six-week stealing spree, magistrates heard this week.

But the stealing came to an end when he was caught making off with a £180 toy from Woolworths by a couple of off-duty police officers.

Gillett was chased out of the store by staff, still clutching the Splash Attack water activity toy. The off-duty officers caught him as he tried to run off and he was detained.

Appearing before Ely magistrates in custody on Thursday, Gillett, of Friars Place, Littleport, admitted stealing the toy and resisting police on May 9, and admitted another seven shop lifting offences.

He stole:

l Two pairs of track suit bottoms from Giles Sports in Ely

l Pasta salad and chocolate from One Stop in Littleport

l Four bottles of alcohol from One Stop in Ely

l Children's clothing from Peacocks in Ely

l A set top box from Littleport Co-op

l Three sports tops from Giles Sports in Ely.

l He attempted to steal 13 packs of bacon from One Stop in Littleport

Gillett further admitted that he was in breach of a conditional discharge imposed earlier this year for an offence of criminal damage.

Mitigating, Michael Judkins said Gillett was "a young man spiralling into increased heroin addiction" and the thefts were carried out to feed his addiction.

"His arrest has brought about a substantial realisation of the depth to which he was sinking," he said.

Gillett wanted to get away from his home town and his associates, he added.

The magistrates adjourned sentencing for four weeks and ordered Gillett to live with his sister in Oxfordshire in the meantime.