A RECOVERING heroin addict who stole an £18.55 bottle of whisky has been given a 12-month conditional discharge.

Edward Schofield, of St George’s Walk, Barbourne, had previously admitted shoplifting and failing to answer bail when he appeared for sentencing at the city’s magistrates.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, told the court Schofield and another man took two one litre bottles of Bells whisky each from the Co-op in the Bullring, Worcester, on Tuesday, July 22.

Both were spotted by shop security staff pocketing the items and were stopped as they left the store before being arrested.

Schofield was bailed to appear at magistrates on Tuesday, August 5, but did not turn up so an arrest warrant was issued.

He was arrested and appeared at court on Monday, August 18, when the case was heard and sentencing deferred to give addict Schofield a chance to prove he was coming off drugs.

But he then forgot to turn up to his next hearing on Monday, November 17, according to his solicitor Mark Sheward.

He explained: “He didn’t turn up because his memory has been affected by the use of heroin.

“It was while he was addicted he stole to fund his addiction.”

Mr Sheward said his client was now off heroin with a methadone prescription and was back living with his long-term girlfriend and their two children in a “happy, stable relationship.”

Magistrates gave Schofield a conditional discharge for both offences and ordered him to pay £60 costs.