A CROOK has been given one last chance to stop offending and kick his drug habit.

Mark Sinclair came before Droitwich magistrates yesterday and admitted three thefts in October and November.

But the 30-year-old, who escaped from Worcester shops with Levi jeans, mobile phone holders and CDs, only stole to fund his heroin habit and was now clean, said Nick Roberts, defending.

Peter Parson, prosecuting, told the court Sinclair was caught taking the Levis on Monday, October 15.

Three weeks later, despite being on bail on condition he kept out of city centre shops, Sinclair was captured on CCTV stealing from a Worcester store.

He took £15 of goods from the Co-op eleven days later.

In July this year, he was given a 12-month Community Rehabilitation Order for two thefts, but failed to stick to it.

He had also been in prison a number of times, the court was told.

Mr Roberts said Sinclair, of Drake Avenue, Dines Green, Worcester, had ditched his "chaotic lifestyle" in Callow End, found himself a stable home, distanced himself from his drug addict friends, and had been off heroin for nine days.

And he had not re-offended since the Co-op incident.

"He's been subjected to the full range of sentencing options, including at least four short custodial sentences," Mr Roberts said.

"Although they got him out of circulation, because he'd be inside for a couple of months, they didn't address the underlying difficulty which had led him to offend in the first place.

"The only sentence he hasn't been given is the Drug Treatment and Testing Order outlined in the pre-sentence report.

"It's his only hope. And if he doesn't seize this chance, he'll have to come back before the court and surrender to custody."

The bench agreed, giving him a 12-month DTTO.

"If you don't comply, I can assure you, without any hesitation, where you'll end up," magistrates warned him.

"This is the last chance you're going to be given to get rid of this damned sickening drug that is heroin. You've got a baby and partner to look after - sort yourself out."

Sinclair was also told to pay £109.99 compensation to the shops and £100 towards court costs.