A HEROIN addict who stole a toy car to fund his habit has been given a chance to mend his ways.

Giving shoplifter Callum James Sherry, 28, of Shrivenham Road, a suspended sentence instead of sending him back to prison immediately, magistrates warned him not to “screw up” the opportunity to get clean.

He pleaded guilty to stealing a remote control car from The Entertainer toy shop worth almost £35. A week later he stole shoes from a town centre stall, Swindon Magistrates Court heard.

Prosecuting, Keith Ballinger said the second theft had been from a temporary stall: “Him and two others are said to be seen taking items. He’s alleged to take a box of trainers.

“He makes a full and frank admission when interviewed by police. He says he took the box of shoes as he wanted them for his own use.”

Magistrates heard that Sherry, whose address was listed in court documents as the council’s temporary winter homeless shelter on Carfax Street, had a long history of offending to fund his drug habit. The heroin addict of around 12 years was previously before the court in April this year.

Esther Bisgrove, for Sherry, said: “Before you is a man who is certainly no stranger to the court system. There aren’t very many magistrates who won’t have come across this man.”

She said her client was desperate to get clean of heroin: “He comes before you to day and asks whether you would be good enough to consider him for another chance; for a drug rehabilitation requirement order.”

Sherry made progress in kicking his habit in prison, she said. But when he was released he would lose his prescription for heroin substitute methadone and turn back to the illegal drug. “He’s extremely fearful that if he goes back to prison he will be straight back to where we were,” Miss Bisgrove said.

“Mr Sherry is realistic. He knows that with his record it would certainly be no surprise if he is returned to prison. But he is keen to engage with the probation service.”

She told magistrates: “I don’t need to remind you of the messages we are receiving from on high. I don’t mean from God, I mean from the government.

“Short sentences aren’t working and certainly this man seems to be a glaring example of where short sentences aren’t working.”

Magistrates heard that Sherry had missed three appointments with his probation officer since May 11. Jonathan Chappell, chairman of the bench, asked Sherry why he should be spared prison.

“I need to change,” Sherry said. “But I haven’t had the right surroundings to change.”

Magistrates decided to spare Sherry a spell back inside. He was given six week prison sentences for each theft, suspended for 12 months. He was also offered a six month drug rehabilitation requirement order, with 20 rehabilitation activity days to be completed with the probation service.

Mr Chappell told Sherry: “It’s very simple from your point of view. They say turn up, you turn up.

“Now, we can put stuff in place. But this is a big opportunity for you and let me tell you that you are pretty lucky to be given this opportunity.

“Now it is down to you. You’re saying all the right words. If you really want the help you’ve got to do the doing.

“Don’t screw this up now.”

Sherry must also pay a £115 victim surcharge and £74.99 in compensation to The Entertainer and stallholder Jennifer Maybury.