A DRUG addict who sold crack cocaine at a hostel for homeless families has walked from court after he was given a second chance to beat his habit.

A DRUG addict who sold crack cocaine at a hostel for homeless families has walked from court after he was given a second chance to beat his habit.

Elton Norris, the former boyfriend of Paula Clennell who was murdered by red light killer Steve Wright, is today starting a year-long prison term suspended for two years after a judge took pity on him.

The 35-year-old, of Wadgate Road, Felixstowe, said he had overcome his addiction once before.

But when ex-partner Miss Clennell was killed in late 2006, a downward spiral whisked him back into drug use, culminating in his latest brush with the law for possessing with intent to supply a Class A substance.

Although his last drug rehabilitation course in 2007 had been less than successful, Judge John Holt decided to give him another chance.

“I may be making a mistake, but I hope you prove that I'm not,” he said at Ipswich Crown Court after being told there was evidence to suggest Norris could get to grips with his habit.

“If you carry on with that drug problem, you will be dead in ten years. It is unusual to be given a second chance. If you blow this, you will go inside.”

After the hearing, joined by new girlfriend Lorraine Wegg, Norris spoke of his determination to finally defeat his demons.

He said: “I have been given a chance to sort myself out. I have been through a lot since the murder of my ex-girlfriend.

“I am 35 going on 50. I need counselling and a chance to get rehabilitation. I want to go to college to do a plumbing course.”

Norris and Miss Wegg have now moved in together in Felixstowe with her three children.

Miss Wegg, 41, said: “We are hoping to get out of Ipswich and make a fresh start.”

In March last year, Norris was jailed for three months for crashing a car into a Mercedes with a four-month-old baby inside it.

At the time, his mother, Anita Kiddstanton, said he needed help to curb his �20-a-day heroin habit before he killed himself.

Should Norris have been given another chance to tackle his drug habit? Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

ELTON Norris pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply crack cocaine after �240 of the Class A drug was found in his jacket.

He was staying with his new partner, Lorraine Wegg, and her three children at the West Villa homeless families unit in London Road when residents complained that Norris was dealing and using drugs.

When the unit's manager went to investigate on February 26 this year, Norris was found hiding under a bed and a “tomato-sized” bundle of crack cocaine was discovered in his jacket.

Norris was handed down a 52-week prison sentence suspended for two years and given a two-year supervision order with a nine-month drug rehabilitation requirement.