A COURT has heard how a dad stole CDs to pay for a birthday present for his son.

Lee Reason, 26 of Burderop, Wroughton, pleaded guilty to stealing 10 CDs worth £25 from The Works bookshop in Swindon town centre.

The manageress of another shop had seen Reason, acting suspiciously and followed him into The Works. The manageress then told police officers and Reason was seen stuffing the items into his jacket

Rob Ross, defending had only recently had a drug habit and was now controlling it with a 'script' of methadone and said that any sentencing which would remove his access to the methadone would be counter productive.

Reason, who is already on a Drugs Testing and Treatment Order, was fined £160, but because he had already spent time in custody, the fine was waived and he was released.