A former heroin-user stole two jackets because he was told he could get help for his habit sooner if he was convicted of an offence, a Lincoln court heard.

City magistrates were told James Weavers-Ward was seen to take two jackets, worth £41.99 each, from Sports Direct in Lincoln.

Kate Minihane, prosecuting, said the defendant pulled off the security tags and stuffed the jackets up his jumper before leaving the store.

"He said he had a £60-a-day heroin habit and he was going to sell the jackets," she said.

Weavers-Ward, 28, of High Street, Nettleham, pleaded guilty to theft on August 7 and failing to surrender to court on August 24.

He told the court that he went to a drug treatment agency for help but he was told that if he wasn't on a criminal order then it would take longer.

"It could take up to four weeks," he said.

"I had a drug habit which I couldn't control. I'm now on methadone which I sorted myself. If I could have got methadone sooner, I wouldn't have done it."

Magistrates said they would take no further action on the failing to surrender charge after the defendant said he got his dates mixed up. He was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £41.99 compensation.