A “RAGING” heroin addict has been given a suspended sentence after admitting to stealing a poppy box the day before Remembrance Sunday.

Courtney Jade Priestley, of Grange Road in Darlington, pleaded guilty to stealing the charity box at about 6.20pm on Saturday, November 7.

She also admitted to stealing perfume and toiletries from TK Maxx in Darlington on November 10 and to receiving stolen goods when she appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, November 25.

The 20-year-old stole the poppy box while she was ordering food from McDonalds in Northgate, using a lighter to burn the cord attaching it to the counter.

The box was recovered by other customers who spotted what she was doing and Priestley was later identified by CCTV.

Laura Saunders, mitigating, said Priestley had a problem with heroin and though she had got onto a methadone programme, had slipped up after her new boyfriend brought some round.

Ms Saunders said: “They went through £400 of heroin over the weekend, then he was remanded in custody and she was left with a raging heroin addiction. She stole from TK Maxx to support the habit.”

When she was arrested for the theft from TK Maxx police found a stolen Sat Nav and binoculars, which she said her boyfriend had left in her house.

Priestley was given an eight week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and an eight-week curfew.

She will also have to pay £72.95 in compensation to TK MAXX.