A RECOVERING heroin addict who stole from his neighbour's car to help pay for food has been given a nightly curfew to curb his offending.

Christopher James Gillam, of Roman Close, Tadcaster, pleaded guilty to theft from a car and attempting to possess heroin when he appeared at Selby Magistrates Court.

Gillam, 30, had been seen by a number of residents in Roman Close trying the door handles of several vehicles in the street on January 20, said Steve Ovenden, prosecuting.

Police were called and arrested Gillam after he was found in possession of a sat nav system from one of the vehicles.

When he was taken to Tadcaster police station, he was also found to be in possession of a bag containing what turned out to be amphetamines, although Gillam said in interview he believed it was heroin.

Mr Ovenden said: "They say there's no honour among thieves - it should be there's no honour among drug-dealers."

Chris McGrogan, for Gillam, told the court his client was in the process of giving up heroin, and had sought help from an organisation in Leeds to help him do so.

Mr McGrogan said: "He chose to hold his hands up and say to the police 'this is what I have done and this is what I have stolen', and it's all part and parcel of an attempt to get some semblance of order back into his life.

"His benefits have changed in the last few months, due to changes with the benefit system. The reason he committed the offence in January was for food only. Tests show he is stabilising on methadone, not topping up with opiates."

Magistrate Ruth Stanley issued Gillam with a 12-week curfew, between 7pm and 7am, and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £60.

She said: "Bearing in mind you have made some progress with your addiction, we do not want to do anything to upset that. We feel it is a very positive move."