Shoplifter, 42, has 66 thefts on his record

HEROIN user Nicholas Cooke has been sentenced to a 30-day curfew after stealing a razor from a shop.

The 42-year-old stole the £199.99 electric razor from Boots, in Newcastle, on December 18.

North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard Cooke was challenged by a security guard in the town centre store just before Christmas.

The court heard Cooke had also failed to attend a follow-up assessment for the presence of a class A drug on September 26.

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Both offences placed Cooke in breach of a conditional discharge he received in August.

Cooke, who has 66 previous offences of theft on his record, pleaded guilty to theft, failing to attend a follow-up assessment and breaching a conditional discharge.

David Green, mitigating, said Cooke, of Hammond House, Ridgway Road, Hanley, has battled a heroin addiction for 20 years.

He committed the theft because he had no money.

Mr Green said: "He committed it to buy food rather than fund a drug habit."

Magistrates sentenced Cooke to a community order with the 30-day curfew from 8pm to 7am. He must also pay £170 costs.