A TEENAGE heroin addict stole more than £1,700 from his girlfriend's bank account after watching her type in her PIN number.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, used the girl's cashcard to withdraw the money in several instalments last November, Worcester Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

The teenager, from Tolladine, admitted the theft. He also admitted stealing a pair of trousers, two Playstation computer games and packs of bacon earlier this year.

Mark Soper, prosecuting, said the youth took his girlfriend's card without her knowledge and withdrew the money, totalling £1,723, from the Nationwide Building Society in Worcester.

He said the teenager told the police he made the withdrawals after getting her details from bank statements and by looking over her shoulder when she withdrew money herself.

The money was spent on heroin, he said.

Mr Soper said the teenager stole the computer games from HMV in Worcester on Monday, February 11, this year and was spotted by security guards.

He then stole a pair of trousers valued at £180 from the Two Seasons store in Worcester on Tuesday, February 26.

"Security staff noticed that his body looked over-sized, and found the clothes concealed on him," said Mr Soper.

The final offence happened in Iceland on Wednesday, March 6, when he stole bacon worth £30.

The latest three crimes took place while on bail.

Charles Hamer, defending, said the 17-year-old was struggling to get over his heroin addiction and was not getting methadone prescribed by his doctor.

"He requires support if he's going to remain in the community," he said. "He feels isolated - he has the depression that goes hand in hand with young people who are out of work and on drugs."

Magistrates said the offences were serious and they had considered a custodial sentence.

They sentenced him to 40 hours' community punishment and ordered him to be supervised by the Youth Offending Team for 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay £250 compensation to the Nationwide Building Society, with £50 costs.

"This is your final chance," they said.