AN Ipswich drug addict who stole sets of golf clubs has today been jailed and released from prison.Darren Smith, 28, of Rosehill Crescent, pleaded guilty to committing two thefts.

AN Ipswich drug addict who stole sets of golf clubs has today been jailed and released from prison.

Darren Smith, 28, of Rosehill Crescent, pleaded guilty to committing two thefts.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that Smith stole £1,200 of clubs and other golfing items belonging to Thomas Powell who left them outside the Pro Shop outside the Ipswich Golf Club last November.

Smith also broke into a car parked outside the Pro Shop at Bury St Edmunds' Golf Club and stole around £500 of golf clubs, which belonged to Michael Chambers.

Smith, a skilled electrician, then sold some of the clubs to Mark Baines who runs a painting and decorating business for £150.

Baines, 45, of Norwich Road, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods.

The court heard that Smith was sentenced to an 18-month drugs treating and testing order (DTTO) in March after he pleaded guilty to four charges of obtaining property by deception.

However he admitted missing some appointments which were conditions of the order and thereby breaching the order.

The court heard that Smith, who had been a heroin addict for eight years, had a previous criminal record for theft and dishonesty. While Baines had also offended in the past, his convictions had been for matters of violence.

Judge John Holt, said Smith had remained drug free for two months and had been on remand in custody for one month. He sentenced him to a two-month prison sentence which meant he would be released today and remain on license for the remaining month.

He was also ordered to pay a £50 fine for breaching the DTTO and £60 towards court costs.

Judge Holt said: "It is about time Baines became a respected pillar of the community." So he sentenced him to do 180 hours unpaid word for the community.

Smith's DTTO is due to be reviewed on October 16.