A PERSHORE heroin addict stole a Giro cheque from his 16-year-old daughter and cashed it to buy drugs.

Dean Davis took the £31.95 cheque out of the post and cashed it at the town Post Office, Worcester Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Sally Hill, prosecuting, said the Giro had been delivered to the house where his daughter, Katie, lived.

"It seems like he spent the night there and was the first up, and sorted through the post," she said.

"Katie made enquiries about it and found out it had been cashed in at Pershore Post Office. Davis had taken the money himself."

Rollercoaster of a life

Davis admitted a total of nine charges in court, including theft, deception, assault and burglary.

The court was told the 35-year-old, of High Street, had a string of previous convictions for violence, theft and dishonesty.

Andrew Childs, defending, said Davis had drink and drug problems.

"He sadly, for reasons which are deep-rooted in the long and distant past, doesn't reach out for help and instead has a rollercoaster of a life."

Magistrates decided their sentencing powers were not strong enough to deal with Davis, and he was referred to Worcester Crown Court for sentence on Friday, August 2.