Junkie begs to be put behind bars

Heroin Addict Andrew Larkin, 23, of Robertson Terrace, Hastings said "Smashing!" when magistrates sentenced him to four months behind bars on July 28.

Larkin had pleaded guilty to offences of shoplifting and assault by beating, committed on April 13 this year and failing to surrender to bail on May 23.

Kim Goodall, for Larkin told the court that his client wanted to be jailed in an attempt to free himself of his killer addiction.

The court heard that Larkin has "numerous previous convictions" for thefts and shoplifting.

"A 23-year-old with that sort of record isn't thieving for a lavish lifestyle, he's thieving to support a drug habit" Mr Goodall told the magistrates.

"That's why he would prefer a short custodial sentence to a community punishment order- He just wants to clear his slate and get de-toxified in prison as he has done before and start again when he comes out.

Things are getting better and by his very demeanour today I can see there's hope for the future," Mr Goodall added.

"I have seen him appear before this court barely able to stand and string a sentence together.

But since the drug-related deaths of two of his close friends he realises he will be next at the rate he is going." He concluded.

Her Worship Mrs Diana Day passing sentence said Larkin could have faced up to a year in jail if it had not been for his guilty pleas.