A DRUG addict who burgled a Worcester house while the occupants were asleep has been spared a prison sentence.

Lee Shearer raided the property in Tunnel Hill and stole a mobile phone worth up to £500, a £200 DVD player, a purse and lipstick.

He was seen with another man acting suspiciously around 4.45am on Thursday, July 10, by a member of the public who called police.

They found him hiding in a garden. The phone and DVD player were recovered near him, said prosecutor Nick Berry.

Shearer also stole £31 from his sister's TV box, legs of lamb from the Co-op worth £27 and hammer drills from Homebase in Droitwich valued at £199.

He was given an 18-month community order with drug rehabilitation.

Judge Patrick Thomas QC said his life had been ruined by heroin addiction and he could expect an early death if he failed to kick the habit.

He added: "The public interest is best served by giving you the opportunity to break away from drugs. If you blow the chance, there will be a lengthy jail sentence."

Shearer, aged 30, of Gamekeeper's Drive, Warndon, Worcester, pleaded guilty to burglary and theft.

Michael Aspinall, defending, conceded at Worcester Crown Court that although the raid victims had not woken, they had been caused distress by the discovery of an intruder.

He said: "He has an appalling record and if he doesn't give up drugs now he never will. There is a high risk of reoffending."

Lee Shearer raided the property in Tunnel Hill and stole a mobile phone worth up to £500, a £200 DVD player, a purse and lipstick.

He was seen with another man acting suspiciously around 4.45am on Thursday, July 10 by a member of the public who alerted police.

They found him hiding in a garden. The phone and DVD player were recovered near him, said prosecutor Nick Berry.

Shearer also stole £31 from his sister's TV box, legs of lamb from the Co-op worth £27 and hammer drills from Homebase in Droitwich valued at £199.

He was given an 18-month community order with drug rehabilitation.

Judge Patrick Thomas QC said his life had been ruined by heroin addiction and he could expect an early death if he failed to kick the habit.

He added: "The public interest is best served by giving you the opportunity to break away from drugs. If you blow the chance, there will be a lengthy jail sentence."

Shearer, aged 30, of Gamekeeper's Drive, Warndon, Worcester, pleaded guilty to burglary and theft.

Michael Aspinall, defending, conceded at Worcester Crown Court that although the raid victims had not woken, they had been caused distress by the discovery of an intruder.

He said: "He has an appalling record and if he doesn't give up drugs now he never will. There is a high risk of reoffending."