A HEROIN addict told a court that he had stolen meat because he had no other way to fund his addiction, having been released from prison on licence without a prescription for methadone. The court heard that Ricky Homer, 20, from Hartford Road, Huntingdon,

A HEROIN addict told a court that he had stolen meat because he had no other way to fund his addiction, having been released from prison on licence without a prescription for methadone.

The court heard that Ricky Homer, 20, from Hartford Road, Huntingdon, told police when he was arrested: "What do you expect me to do? They have released me with no methadone script - can I pay for it now please?"

Mr Homer admitted stealing meat from Tesco Express in Huntingdon, worth £67 and meat from Marks and Spencer worth £52.74. At the time, he was out on licence after a burglary conviction for which he had received a three-month prison sentence. The court heard that he had over 50 previous convictions going back to when he was aged 13.

His solicitor, David Potter said Mr Homer wanted to apologise to the court. Mr Potter said: "It is hard for any of us who don't have a heroin addiction to understand the position that he is in."

Mr Homer was sentenced to prison for four months.