A COCAINE addict with £900 worth of drug debts kicked through the roofs of a takeaway and a wholesaler to break in and steal cash.

Stephen Paterson, who was living with his mother and stepfather, began sleeping his Ford Transit van following a disagreement with his relatives.

The 34-year-old, of Cobden Street, Darlington, took money to buy food when he left his mother’s home on Friday, January 5, but had run out of funds 48 hours later.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court heard that Paterson “made a conscious decision” to break into Perfect Pizza, in Brighouse Courts, Burtree Road, Newton Aycliffe, in the early hours of Monday, January 8.

Paterson got into the takeaway via the roof, in the same way he accessed Edmundson Electrical units in Darlington’s Cleveland Industrial Estate in November 2017.

A probation report stated: “He committed this offence to fund his cocaine use at the time.

“He used the ladders and entered through a skylight to gain access into the property – he’s made a conscious decision on which properties to go to.

“On Friday 5, he had a disagreement with his stepfather and decided it was better that he left that property and lived in his van for the next two nights.

“He knew he had £1,500 worth of savings and could have made arrangements to get cash, but took the decision to commit this offence instead.”

The report read out in court added: “He had been taking cocaine extensively for about a year.

“It started recreationally, but after losing his home with his partner and that relationship coming to an end, his cocaine use became more frequent.”

The court heard Paterson typically spent £50 per day on cocaine, but could spend up to £200.

John Garside, prosecuting, said that Paterson made off with £121 from Edmundson Electrical, £20 from Perfect Pizza and a safe worth £50.

Mr Garside said: “He states he was desperate for money and used the cash he found to put diesel in his Ford Transit.”

Magistrates handed Paterson a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, and a four-week curfew between 7pm and 7am.

He must also pay £121 compensation to Edmundson Electrical and £70 to Perfect Pizza, on top of £200 in court costs.