A DRUG addict used stolen prescriptions in a bid to acquire painkillers and tranquilisers from chemists.

Kevin David James, 26, presented forged prescriptions in Durham City at the Sainsbury's chemist's counter and at a Co-op pharmacy, and obtained 268 pills from each.

An earlier similar attempt failed, when an assistant at a chemists in Newton Hall, Durham, became concerned and made inquiries to discover a prescription was stolen.

The prescriptions, bearing other people's names, were presented within eight days of James seeing a GP at Consett Medical Centre, claiming to have an ailment for which he needed an opiate painkiller, in March last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that when the doctor refused to give him a prescription, James said he would have to start using heroin again, to relieve the symptoms.

Chris Williamson, prosecuting, said James was then seen loitering around the Station Yard practice, and a batch of prescriptions was later discovered to have been stolen.

James was arrested, and initially made denials. However, a handwriting expert linked him to the three forms.

He was re-interviewed and claimed he handed over one form, to collect pills for someone else.

But at an earlier hearing, James, of Front Street, Pity Me, admitted three charges each of illegal possession of a Class C drug, handling stolen goods and forgery.

Joe Hedworth, mitigating, said James has been drug-free since his arrest, and has successfully completed a course, which means he can take up his first full-time job, with a construction company, next month.

"He's hoping to put his drug addiction behind him and start a proper law-abiding lifestyle from here on," said Mr Hedworth.

Recorder Graeme Hyland said that although the offences merited a prison sentence, he would suspend it, given James' efforts to rid himself of his addiction and find work.

He imposed a nine-month sentence, suspended for a year, during which he will have probation supervision.