RECOVERING heroin addict Simon Clarke was caught on CCTV as he stole goods from the Boots store in Ely. He hid batteries and three after shave sets in a carrier bag before he walked out of the Market Place premises without paying. And just 24 hours earlie

RECOVERING heroin addict Simon Clarke was caught on CCTV as he stole goods from the Boots store in Ely.

He hid batteries and three after shave sets in a carrier bag before he walked out of the Market Place premises without paying.

And just 24 hours earlier he had targeted the same shop, stealing a miniature perfume set, Ely magistrates heard on Thursday.

Clarke, 32, of Wisbech Road, Littleport, admitted stealing cosmetics and batteries on November 25, and asked for the other theft to be taken into consideration.

After his arrest, Clarke told police he had taken the items because he needed money for petrol.

Clarke also admitted driving a car without insurance on August 12 last year, and failing to produce his driving licence or MoT certificate to the police.

He had been involved in a road accident in Downham Road at Ely on August 12 last year, said prosecutor Yetunde Fawehinmi. When he returned to the crash scene, he was asked to produce his driving documents.

Asking the court not to ban him from driving, Clarke told the magistrates: "I am a recovering heroin addict, and now have a prescription. I have just got my life back on track."

The court adjourned sentencing for three weeks while the probation service prepares a report on him: "You are obviously trying to get your life back on track, and we want to help you," said presiding magistrate Mary Rone.

"The bench is disturbed that these thefts occurred on consecutive days, you have a past history and financial problems.