A 22-year-old became addicted to drugs after his former partner was diagnosed with leukaemia, a court heard.

Shaun Carr appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court after previously admitting breaching an anti-social behaviour order, two counts of possessing amphetamines and breaching his bail conditions.

The court heard how he was made subject to a doorstep curfew, which required him to be at his home in Woodmancote, Warndon, Worcester, between 8pm and 5am.

Julie Rosamond, prosecuting, said police officers visited his home at 8pm on Wednesday, January 9. "He was not at the address and was arrested 25 minutes later on his way back," she said.

Mark Sheward, defending, said this happened because a meeting with his employer to discuss a change in his working hours - in case he needed to vary his doorstep curfew - ran over, causing him to be late home.

Mr Sheward said Carr became addicted to amphetamines, a class B drug, after his former partner was diagnosed with leukaemia shortly after giving birth. He said he started taking it after someone suggested it might keep him awake driving to and from a Birmingham hospital to visit her. Mr Sheward said the couple had now split up.

"She didn't want him to keep on seeing her in the state she was in," he said.

The court also heard how in December 2007, Carr breached the terms of his Asbo, which was made the previous December - by interfering with a motor vehicle.

The case was adjourned to Wednesday, January 23 for a pre-sentence report to be carried out. Carr was bailed, on condition he lives at his current address between 10.30pm to 5.30am, which will be monitored using an electronic tagging device. He must also attend an appointment with the probation service and report to Worcester Police Station between 3pm and 5pm on Sunday.