A FORMER heroin addict who stole electrical goods and cash from his friend’s neighbour so he could pay back a drug dealer has been sentenced to a community order.

Joseph Stephens stole a laptop, a camcorder and £350 cash after he bumped into a drug dealer in Worcester who threatened to use violence against him and his girlfriend if he did not pay his debts.

Stephens, aged 29, of Elgar Avenue, Malvern, admitted a charge of theft at a previous hearing at Worcester Magistrates Court.

Marie Watton, prosecuting, told the court that Stephens had gone to stay with a friend in Worcester after he tried to prevent drug dealers operating near his home.

The friend he moved in with was looking after the electrical goods and cash for a female neighbour.

On one ocassion she asked Stephens to help her retrieve the locked cash box hidden behind a washing machine but when she returned later there was only £10 left in it.

Also when the lady asked Stephens to get her electrical equipment he refused because they had been sold.

In mitigation Mark Sheward said Stephens said: “While staying in Worcester he met an old drug supplier of his who he owed a substantial amount of money.

"He told Stephens that if the money wasn’t repaid he would be subjected to violence. As a consequence of that he accepts he took the property from the house.”

Stephens was sentenced to a 12-month community order with a supervision requirement.

He must also attend a general behaviour programme and was made to pay £350 compensation.