A WORCESTER man has been ordered to enrol in a drug treatment programme after admitting a string of thefts.

Paul Raymond, aged 22, from Tolladine, was spotted stealing a car stereo, a pair of children's boots and some porcelain jugs on three separate occasions, Worcester Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Raymond also obstructed a police officer by giving false details when he was spotted acting suspiciously.

Nigel Reader, prosecuting, said bystanders saw Raymond kneeling on the seat of a car in Barbourne Terrace, Barbourne on Thursday, October 3 last year.

He said he was then seen leaving the car with something concealed in his jacket.

"He was confronted by the bystanders, but he made off on foot away from the scene," said Mr Reader.

However, Raymond, of Portefields Road, was seen in the area two hours later and detained by police. He admitted stealing the stereo, which was valued at £160.

False details

On Sunday, October 20 last year, Mr Reader said Raymond was seen by police acting suspiciously.

"He gave false details to the police - he gave them the name and date of birth of his brother," he said.

"He was soon rumbled. He said he did it to see if he could get away with it."

Three days later, Raymond was arrested by police after stealing a pair of boots from Shoezone in Worcester city centre.

The following month, on Friday, November 15, he went into Worcester Royal Porcelain and took a number of jugs valued at almost £60 before being stopped by a security guard.

Raymond admitted all the offences.

Barry Newton, defending, said Raymond had been given a drug treatment order for burglary two weeks ago.

"I would recommend that you impose a concurrent order," he said.

Magistrates gave Raymond a 12-month concurrent drug treatment order, and ordered him to pay £160 compensation and £150 costs.