A DRUG addict who has raided the homes of his sister and his aunt walked free from court - with a judge telling him: "This is your chance to go straight."

Teesside Crown Court heard that Leslie Manning, 22, from Peterlee, County Durham, has a string of previous convictions for dishonesty.

In 2011, he broke into his aunt's home using a stolen key, and stole money, while the following year he was prosecuted for theft by an employee.

Last August, following a split between his sister and her husband, it was discovered a load of valuables had been taken from the marital home in Peterlee.

Manning's sister realised a key to the house had been taken from her keyring, and replaced with a dummy one, prosecutor Martin Towers told the court.

Among the things that had been stolen were wedding and engagement rings, and a laptop computer and a camera - each containing priceless photographs.

Manning had pawned some of the items and sold others privately to help fund a £100-a-day cocaine habit, and for the £20 a day he needed for alcohol.

In an impact statement, his sister said the photos are irreplaceable, and added: "It hurts so much because he's my brother, but he's had many chances.

"I'm not so bothered about the stolen rings, but the laptop and camera cannot be replaced. They contained lots of years worth of happy memories."

Lewis Kerr, mitigating, said they were "mean" offences and admitted that Manning, of Westway, Peterlee, will have a tough task repairing the damage.

"He clearly feels a great deal of shame," Mr Kerr told Judge Peter Armstrong, "not least because these were offences against family members.

"There will be feelings of deep hurt, but he will do what he can. It's never going to be an easy option . . . his actions were out of control at the time."

Manning was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with a two-month curfew, supervision and a drug treatment and testing order.

Judge Armstrong told him: "You are only 22 years of age, and you should not be in prison . . . you have been committing stupid offences because you are addicted to drugs."