A YOUNG drug taker has landed himself a 13-month prison sentence, all because he stole £18 worth of goods at a supermarket on Christmas Eve, a court heard.

Jack Birkett was given “a chance” to overcome his drug addiction by a judge at Durham Crown Court in October, after the 22-year-old defendant admitted having, inadvertently, helped an undercover police officer to buy two heroin deals, in Chester-le-Street, earlier last year.

The court heard that, as a known drug user, he was approached by the officer, posing as a potential ‘customer’, asking where he could buy heroin.

Having, “pointed him in the right direction”, he was sentenced on the basis he was, a “conduit”, to enable the officer to seek the actual supplier.

As a result, he was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, as the court heard he was to attend a drug rehabilitation unit in Scarborough.

But, Birkett was back at the court, committed by magistrates in Consett recently, having admitted theft, putting him in breach of the suspended sentence.

Kevin Ross, prosecuting, said Birkett, of Ernest Street, Pelton, was detained by the deputy store manager outside an Aldi store, in nearby Chester-le-Street, on December 24, on suspicion of shoplifting.

He was in possession of a leg of lamb and a bottle of gin, for which he had not paid.

Birkett claimed he thought that his mother, who was inside the store shopping, had paid for the items.

Mr Ross said Birkett also gave false details to the deputy manager.

But after police were summoned and he was arrested, he made admissions, confessing he went to the store without any money.

Tony Davis, mitigating, told the court: “The defendant has put himself in jeopardy of an immediate prison sentence, having failed to take the opportunity afforded him, in October.

“He’s fully aware of that.”

Mr Davis said Birkett’s background was of a young drug user, committing acquisitive crime to fund his habit.

“He tells me the latest episode, on Christmas Eve, was utterly opportunistic and a matter he bitterly regrets.”

Mr Davis said Birkett has made voluntary attempts to “come clean” of his addiction and is now on a methadone substitute programme.

But, having read a probation background report, Judge Simon Hickey told Birkett: “You were given an opportunity with the suspended sentence.

“It appears, however, you have shown very little motivation to address your drug misuse and I have no great confidence that you will.

“Against that background, the time has now come to activate the custodial sentence.”

Judge Hickey imposed the 12-month sentence, with a month added for the Christmas Eve theft offence.