A HEROIN addict smashed his way into a car to steal a purse because he needed a fix after his methadone script was stopped.

Mr Terry John Newby appeared before Furness Magistrates' Court on Thursday (1) and admitted one count of theft on September 7 and failing to answer bail on Tuesday. (29)

Another charge of criminal damage on September 7 was withdrawn.

Prosecutor Mr Peter Kelly explained how Jennie Marsland went out to her car and found the front passenger window smashed and her purse missing.

He said: "The police were called and they were given information that lead to the belief that the defendant was involved. They went to his house and the purse was found under his mattress. He gave full admissions to police. he said he had used a hammer to smash the window and he needed to buy heroin. he had been taken off his methadone script the previous week."

Miss Karen Templeton, defending, said Newby of Raglan Court, Barrow, was extremely sorry for the inconvenience he had caused to the victim.

She added: "The root of all this that he had missed a couple of appointments with Unity and as a result he was taken off his methadone script. That day he was really suffering with withdrawal. He saw the purse in the car and went home, got a hammer and returned and smashed the window."

Magistrates put him under a six month supervision order and a eight week curfew between 5pm and 5am.

The 37-year-old was also ordered to pay £185 in compensation, a £60 victim surcharge, £85 court costs and a £180 criminal court charge.