AN Ipswich drug user who stole a flat screen television from a show house has been given a chance to get help for his addiction.

AN Ipswich drug user who stole a flat screen television from a show house has been given a chance to get help for his addiction.

James Marks, 23, of Beatty Road, Ipswich, admitted burglary at a show house at Ravenswood in February last year and stealing a Hoover from B&Q.

He was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and made the subject of a drug rehabilitation order.

Sentencing Marks Recorder David Anderson told him that if drugs could be removed from his life it would help him break the cycle of crime and punishment that he had got himself into.

Godfried Duah prosecuting at Ipswich Crown Court said Marks and another person had forced their way into the show house causing £700 damage. A flat screen TV worth £839 was stolen and was sold shortly afterwards.

Ian Duckworth for Marks, said his client had been using heroin on and off for five years and had committed the burglary to get money for drugs.

He said his client was at his wits end and wanted to address the issue of his drug taking.