A VULNERABLE Worcester man battling a heroin addiction has been given a 12-month conditional discharge for stealing a bottle of vodka.

Steven Hook, who lives at the Maggs Day Centre, Deansway, Worcester, admitted the charge at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday.

Hook, aged 22, stole the bottle from Somerfield on Thursday, January 4, but was stopped by security, who took the bottle back. Hook, who is unemployed and claims £90 every fortnight in Jobseeker's Allowance, pleaded guilty to the offence the next day.

Mark Sheward, defending, said: "There was no sophistication to the theft at all. He just went into the shop and took the item concerned."

Hook is now on a low-level methadone prescription to wean him off heroin and is in regular contact with his drugs worker Mandy Turner.

Mrs Turner, who appeared in court, said: "I do feel he's quite isolated and vulnerable in Worcester."

Magistrates said they were pleased with the progress he had made.

He was warned by magistrates that if he committed more offences he risked being sentenced for those on top of the original offence.