A DRUG addict stole a mountain bike off a 14-year-old boy and sold it for £12, Worcester Crown Court heard.

The victim allowed Scott Edwards to have a ride on the cycle before he pushed the boy over and rode off, said prosecutor Stephen Cadwaladr.

Edwards, aged 23, of Hemming Way, Evesham, pleaded guilty to common assault and theft. The prosecution dropped an original charge of robbery.

Judge John Cavell warned that Edwards would have been jailed if he had been convicted of robbery.

Instead, he made a 12-months drug treatment and testing order.

The court will monitor his progress while he tries to rid himself of his drug habit.

In addition, the judge gave him a two-year community rehabilitation order.

Judge Cavell said he had a chance of coming off drugs if he co-operated with treatment.

Edwards had a record going back to 1997 which included criminal damage and theft.

Adam Western, defending, said he had spent over two months in custody before he was granted bail by another judge to assess his suitability for drug treatment.