A TEENAGE heroin addict was locked up by a court yesterday - at his own request.
Defending solicitor Geoffrey Rogers told Harrogate magistrates that 18-year-old Thomas Bateman agreed that custody was the only way of ending his drug addiction.
"He is keen to put an end to his drug addiction," said Mr Rogers. "He appreciates it is probably going to be safer for him to be remanded in custody."
Bateman, of Birstwith Road, Harrogate, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to damaging a window, failing to answer bail, dangerous driving and not having insurance or a licence.
Yesterday, he admitted possession of a martial arts knife with a sharpened blade at Harrogate's Asda store last Wednesday.
The presiding magistrate, Nancy Scruton, adjourned the hearing until May 7 for an assessment to see whether Bateman is suitable for a drug treatment and testing order. He was remanded in custody.
Mrs Scruton told him: "We are very encouraged you yourself want to seek help, and we hope it goes well for you.
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