A MAN with a “longstanding” heroin addiction as admitted to stealing a pair of designer jeans to help someone in financial trouble.

Jason Bainbridge was identified by staff working in Darlington’s House of Fraser department store after the jeans, valued at £100, were stuffed into a carrier bag.

The 47-year-old was joined by another man – who fled the shop before being stopped – and was arrested following the incident on a busy Saturday afternoon.

Bainbridge, of Cartmell Terrace, in Darlington, admitted to police officers he had intended to steal and sell the jeans to generate cash for someone else.

John Garside, prosecuting in Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court, stated Bainbridge and an unidentified man made to leave the shop together at around 4.30pm on October 20.

The court also heard that Bainbridge was released from prison on licence in January this year.

Stephen Andrews, mitigating, said: “He tells me a person had got themselves into financial difficulties and he was asked if he could help, but he doesn’t have the means to help.

“He feels a sense of responsibility to this person who was interfered with – if I can put it that way – and the person responsible for that was introduced into his life by Mr Bainbridge.

“He feels somewhat responsible for what that person then did to his relative.

“He thought he’d like to help, but he said to help him buy stealing something to sell on to give the money to relative.”

He added: “He has a lengthy history, but there’s support in place to reduce the risk of reoffending.

“He has a longstanding addiction to heroin so he’s getting 70ml of methadone.

“He received a fairly lengthy custodial sentence a while back, but he’s still being supervised until May of next year and there’s a requirement that he’s drug tested and his most recent tests have shown he’s clean.”

Bainbridge bowed his head and wore jeans, a dark green jacket and burgundy trainers in court.

A probation officer added: “He’s been warned that if he does commit another offence he will be recalled to custody and will receive the full term until May next year.”

Bainbridge was fined £80 for the theft and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.