A HEROIN addict has been sent to prison for six months after admitting shoplifting and trying to steal cars to fund his habit.

Wayne Mountford, aged 25, shouted and swore at prison officers as he was led away following sentencing at Worcester Magistrates Court.

Mountford, of Deacle Place, Evesham, admitted stealing a vacuum cleaner valued at £209.98 from B&Q in Evesham on Saturday, October 3.

He had set off a fire alarm and security cameras showed him carrying a large box through a fire gate.

He also admitted interfering with a Peugeot 206 with the intention of stealing it on Tuesday, June 30, in Evesham, and stealing T-shirts from JD Sports in Evesham on Monday, June 22. Mountford also admitted interfering with a Vauxhall Astra with the intention of stealing it in Evesham on Monday, September 14.

The court was told that Mountford was chased and caught by the son of the Vauxhall owner – a policeman, who was staying in the town – at about 2.30am.

Magistrates were told that Mountford had been given a conditional discharge on Friday, February 20, for stealing cabling from Eon, Vine Street, Evesham.

Barry Newton, defending, said Mountford stole to pay for his drugs but was not a violent man.

He said: “He is a passive and affable young man who is in the grip of an addiction to heroin.”

Magistrates ordered Mountford to serve 12 weeks and nine weeks in prison concurrently for the interference with the cars, eight weeks for stealing the vacuum cleaner and six weeks for the theft of the T-shirts.

He was also given two weeks, to be served concurrently, for breaching his conditional discharge.

• Your Worcester News was the only member of the media at this hearing.