A HEROIN addict will have to choose between giving up drugs or going to prison, Ipswich Crown Court heard.Patrick O'Hara, 25, pleaded guilty to a string of offences he is said to have committed to feed his drug habit.

A HEROIN addict will have to choose between giving up drugs or going to prison, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Patrick O'Hara, 25, pleaded guilty to a string of offences he is said to have committed to feed his drug habit.

He burgled Bentley Towers Hotel in Ipswich of a cash box containing £10, he burgled a warehouse at Boss Hall Industrial Estate of a handbag and contents. He also burgled Allington Clinic in Woodbridge Road of two mobile telephones and a clinic in Norwich Road where he escaped with £50.

He asked for five similar offences to be taken into consideration.

O'Hara, of Wellington Court, also admitted stealing coffee valued at £22.50 from the Co-op Store in Cauldwell Hall Road and £15 of petrol from the Tesco store in Copdock.

O'Hara was also found in possession of a syringe of heroin.

Judge John Holt heard that O'Hara had offended while on licence from a previous prison sentence for burglary and theft.

The court heard that O'Hara came to England from Ireland with a promising career as an upholsterer, he was also a trained mechanic. Since becoming an addict four years ago he lost his employment, his partner and his daughter.

Judge Holt said: "You say you are determined to take the chance offered by a drug treatment and testing order (DTTO). If you breach that order I will re-sentence you to seven months, the expiry on your licence, plus 18 months in prison. I will take that chance."

O'Hara was sentenced to a two year DTTO and six months community rehabilitation.

Judge Holt said O'Hara would be tested for drugs twice a week and his case would be reviewed at court every month.