A HEROIN addict and alcoholic who punched a man he thought had passed on a sexually transmitted disease to his girlfriend has been given a last chance to get himself clean.

Matthew Martindale appeared in Worcester Magistrates Court on Tuesday to be sentenced for a string of offences which, as well as assaulting Adam Pritchard 11 days after leaving prison, included stealing money from his mum's wallet, stealing her car, driving without insurance or a licence, and assaulting his girlfriend.

The 24-year-old of Stalls Farm Road, Droitwich, admitted all offences, along with forging a prescription and stealing Bacardi from Waitrose. Julie Rosamund, prosecuting, said Martindale punched Adam Pritchard in the eye on Saturday, September 23, at Droitwich railway station.

"He mistakenly believed he had passed on a sexually transmitted disease to his girlfriend," she said.

"Next, on Monday, October 16, Martindale took his mother's purse and Hyundai before crashing it through the window of Motorquick.

"When he returned home he broke down in tears and took a knife to his wrist saying he wanted to end everything.

"He returned the purse but there was £4 missing. That night police officers also entered the Hop Pole pub and his girlfriend Yvette Beasant said he had punched her.

"He said he'd been drinking cider and taken heroin and the mix had made him feel suicidal.

"Then, on October 18 he visited his GP for a prescription but added Diazepam in his own writing at the bottom.

"The pharmacist spotted the unusual handwriting and a spelling mistake and he was arrested. On October 23 he was seen on CCTV camera stealing a bottle of Bacardi from Waitrose."

Charles Hamer, defending, said: "These were acts of desperation. The aggravated vehicle taking, theft and associated offences were done around the first anniversary of his sister's untimely death. His object was to join his sister and do away with himself.

"It wasn't until 2001 that Martindale first started to get in trouble a great deal. It is no surprise that the principle reason for getting in trouble has been abuse of drugs - heroin and alcohol."

Magistrates gave Martindale a 12-month supervision order and ordered him to complete a six-month drug rehabilitation course. He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to Mr Pritchard, £16.39 to Waitrose, £100 to the Motor Insurance Bureau and £300 to Motorquick.

He was aslo disqualified from driving for 18 months.

The chairman of the bench said: "This is your last chance. No more drugs."