A HEROIN user has been ordered to meet with probation officers before being sentenced by Worcester Magistrates Court.
Steven Smith, of Roberts End, Hanley Swan, near Malvern, yesterday admitted stealing a purse and dishonestly using a debit card to purchase goods.
Mary Clive-Morgan, prosecuting, told the court that the 22-year-old was living in a flat off Baxters Walk, Malvern, at the time of the theft on Saturday, November 22, 2003.
Mrs Clive-Morgan said he invited the victim, Amy Perks, who he knew, to his flat that evening.
"She went to use the bathroom and when she came back she looked in her handbag for some cigarettes and found that her purse was missing," said Mrs Clive-Morgan.
Denied
"She confronted the defendant who denied taking it."
Mrs Clive-Morgan said that on the following day Smith used her debit card to four separate occasions, buying food, drink and cigarettes to the value of £79.11.
Sarah Brady, defending, asked the court to order a pre-sentence review because of Smith's history of heroin abuse.
Magistrates agreed and released him on conditional bail that he attends a meeting with probation services on Friday, March 19, that he live at his current address, reports to Malvern police station on Sunday, March 28, and attends court on Monday, March 29.
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