A TEENAGE drug addict burgled the house of a family friend to get cash to feed his habit.Christopher Nock knew the home in Felixstowe's Grange Road would be empty so he broke in and made off with £115, tobacco and cuff links.

A TEENAGE drug addict burgled the house of a family friend to get cash to feed his habit.

Christopher Nock knew the home in Felixstowe's Grange Road would be empty so he broke in and made off with £115, tobacco and cuff links.

Appearing at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court, the 18-year-old, of Beacon Field, Felixstowe, pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary.

Although the exact date of the offence is unknown, it took place sometime between September 8 and 12 when the victim was away for the weekend.

Stephen Colman, prosecuting, said officers conducted a search of Nock's house, which he shares with his mother, after the burglary was discovered.

Two pouches of tobacco from the victim's house were found.

Mr Colman said: “Mr Nock said he knew the house would be empty because he was a close family friend and had spoken to him some days before.”

Howard Catherall, mitigating, said drugs were to blame. He told the court his client was trying to quit his habit and was going through withdrawal symptoms.

District Judge David Cooper deferred handing Nock his punishment until a pre-sentence report could be carried out.

He told the defendant: “You obviously come from a good family. You have messed up but you are starting to put it right and you have admitted you need help.

“Drugs are a tremendous problem for families and they (Nock's family) have all my sympathy.”

Nock was released on conditional bail until October 17.