A DRUG addict grabbed two bags of pound coins from a Worcester shop counter in an "opportunistic" theft, a court heard.

Lee Raymond went into the Spar shop in the city's Cranham Drive, Blackpole, with two other males and snatched the bags containing £40 as he went to pay for several items.

Raymond - of Glenthorne Avenue, Warndon - appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday and admitted theft at an earlier hearing.

The 24-year-old was given a 12-month drug treatment testing order and ordered to pay £40 compensation and £43 costs.

Prosecuting Helen Harmeston said Raymond entered the Spar shop at about 9pm on Tuesday, October 7 and selected some goods before going to the till.

Magistrates heard how he then saw the bags of pound coins and grabbed them.

"He placed them into his pockets and was observed by the security guard who asked him to empty his pockets at which point he ran past the guard," said Ms Harmeston.

The court heard how Raymond - who committed the offence while on licence for a six month sentence for burglary and theft and a six-month sentence for shoplifting passed last year - was caught after being identified on CCTV and made a full admission.

In mitigation, Nick Roberts said Raymond's mother had given him money and he had been using this to fund his drug habit - not stealing.

"Please look at this offence for what it is - it's an opportunistic theft," he said.

"He simply lent over and grabbed the bags of coins at a time when he was upset."

and thinking about drugs."