WORCESTER magistrates have been told how a man in a wheelchair used his disability as a cover to steal from city stores.

Spina bifida sufferer Gary Simpson hid 10 cans of body spray in his trousers on a shoplifting spree in Boots.

Magistrates heard that the 23-year-old intended to sell the sprays to fund his heroin habit.

"On Thursday, May 16, he entered Boots in Worcester and selected 10 Impulse body sprays, valued at £24," said Neil Coulson, prosecuting.

"He concealed them down the front of his trousers and left the store. He was later arrested and, when interviewed, said he intended to sell them to raise cash for ongoing addictions."

The court was told that Simpson had also been on a shoplifting mission with his friends.

On Sunday, December 16, 2001, the manager at Comet, in Blackpole, saw three men in the store.

"He noticed the defendant, who was in a wheelchair with a big blue rucksack to the rear," said Mr Coulson.

"Two men stood behind and the manager saw that items were being placed into the rucksack."

When the men were approached outside, they had taken computer software from the rucksack and hidden it on themselves.

Simpson, of Turrall Street, Barbourne, admitted three counts of theft and two bail act offences.

"He's an extremely ill man," said Dale Sheehan, defending.

"He's been suffering from violent headaches and nosebleeds and he's been told to go to the hospital today for tests. He's also suspected of having cancer of the liver.

"His health has overtaken his offending behaviour. When these offences were committed it was to fund a heroin addiction, but since May his life has stabilised.

"He can't choose to go back to voluntary use of this substance. It would be fatal to him."

Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge for the thefts and no separate penalty for the bail act offences.