HEROIN addict William Moran was prepared to accept a £10 payment for cashing a cheque for £995 so he could feed his habit, a court was told yesterday.

But when 39-year-old Moran presented the cheque at a branch of the HSBC bank in Bilton, Harrogate, staff became suspicious, not least because it was for a large amount.

Simon Ostler, prosecuting, said staff refused to hand over any money and Moran, of Mayfield Grove, Harrogate, left. He was arrested later and told police he had been given the cheque by a friend.

Moran pleaded guilty to attempted deception and admitted stealing razor blades from a supermarket and failing to answer bail.

His solicitor, Clive Farndon, said drugs were a common factor throughout Moran's offending history.

He committed offences either under the influence of drugs, usually heroin, or to get money so he could buy drugs.

He had been going to receive £10 for cashing the cheque and would have used it to buy heroin.

Magistrates heard Moran was anxious for help to allow him to quit his drugs habit and adjourned the hearing for a week while his suitability for a drug treatment and testing order was assessed.

Bailing Moran, court chairman David Marlow told him: "This is your last opportunity. If you fail on this one you will be going to prison."