A FORMER heroin addict who stole cash and other items on numerous occasions did so out of “a compulsion to steal”, a court was told.

Robin Lunn, aged 47, also pleaded guilty to a single charge of burglary with the intent to steal when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court.

On Saturday, January 15, Lunn was in a pharmacy in Broad Street, Worcester, with a friend, when he took a purse which had been left on the counter by a customer.

Matt Dodson, prosecuting, said: “The victim went into the pharmacy and placed her purse on the counter while she paid for some items.

"Only later that day while in the town did she realise she had left it on the counter.”

Lunn was seen picking up the purse on CCTV and concealing it in his jacket before leaving the store.

About a week later, Lunn, of London Road, Worcester, posted the purse, which was missing £30, back through the pharmacy’s letterbox.

On September 9 last year, Lunn went into Worcester College of Technology, Deansway, and attempted to steal a computer monitor before he was confronted by a staff member.

Mr Dodson said: “A college lecturer watched as he removed the wires from the back of a computer in the mezzanine area and walked back downstairs carrying the monitor, which he attempted to conceal in his jacket.

“When he realised he was being watched he went back upstairs and placed the monitor back on the desk.”

Police were called and Lunn’s fingerprints were found on the monitor and he was identified on CCTV.

On December 14, Lunn also stole a box of hair dye from Superdrug, and was detained outside the store.

On Christmas Eve, Lunn went into Tesco Express, in Foregate Street, Worcester, and paid for a number of items while concealing two sandwich fillers and a bottle of wine, which were never recovered.

On December 30, he was seen placing three items in a basket in the Co-op, Angel Street, despite being banned from the store.

A store detective allowed him to pay for one item while he concealed some coleslaw and a tiramisu.

He was arrested by a police officer waiting outside.

Mark Sheward, defending, said Lunn had been clean for two years and was now trying to wean himself off methadone.

He said: “Despite removing himself from drugs, he has been left with a compulsion to steal. He doesn’t need to steal, but he used to steal regularly when he was using heroin.

“On many occasions he has money with him. He cannot offer an explanation for it, he doesn’t know why.”

Lunn was sentenced to four months in custody, suspended for 12 months.

He must complete a 12-month supervision order and attend the enhanced thinking skills programme.

He was ordered to pay £37.09 compensation and £150 costs.