AN addict was so desperate for goods to sell to raise money for his next fix that he broke into the home of “an associate” who had been arrested.

Durham Crown Court was told it was literally a case of, “no honour among thieves”, when Brian Gilchrist gained entry to the temporarily unoccupied house in Third Street, Horden, County Durham, on August 4.

Among items taken were a tv set, computer games, consoles and controls, four watches, DVDs and a ruck-sack.

Liam O’Brien, prosecuting said the householder had left home earlier that day, but was detained at a police station having been arrested over an allegation of shoplifting.

On his release from custody he arrived home to discover the house had been burgled.

Mr O’Brien said later in August, Gilchrist stole an unattended handbag from a town centre market trader in Peterlee.

The bag contained two purses, a £20 note, an iPad, a mobile phone, house keys and a driving licence.

Gilchrist was arrested in September after cctv footage was examined and he made admissions to police.

Mr O’Brien said he has previous break-ins on his record, and the latest offence qualified as a “third strike” burglary.

Gilchrist, 39, of Laing Square, Wingate, County Durham, admitted burglary and theft at a previous hearing.

Jane Waugh, in mitigation, said it was Gilchrist’s sixth burglary, but only the first as, “a third strike” offender.

“He has had difficulties with drugs, having been addicted to one or another for over 20 years.

“He was introduced to drugs by someone he met in prison all those years ago, and he has battled with the addiction since," she said.

“My learned friend said there was, ‘no honour among thieves’, but it also demonstrates the lengths people are prepared to go to get the where-with-all for drugs.

“He’s in the grip of a heroin addiction and people in that situation are prepared to sell out their friends and grannies.”

Recorder Paul Miller told Gilchrist: “You have a long record for dishonesty, having been convicted for burglaries in 2003 and 2007.

“I hope, having read your probation report, that you stick to what you have said, that you will use your time in prison usefully to improve your employment prospects and rid yourself of your addiction.”

Recorder Miller jailed Gilchrist for two years and six months, only reducing the custodial term from the mandatory three-year sentence due to his early ‘guilty’ pleas.