A HOMELESS man stole money and DVDs from his seriously-ill parents to feed his drug addiction.

Simon Cain, 31, of no fixed abode, admitted stealing possessions from his family, who live in West Swindon, at Swindon Magistrates Court.

Cain stole various items, including an Xbox, cash, DVDs and a mobile phone, as well as a DVD player worth £139.95 from Asda in West Swindon.

He sold some of the stolen items for only a fraction of the price and went on to spend the cash on heroin.

The court heard that Cain, who now lives in Bristol, stole his ill mother's handbag on February 18, and stole £350 worth of cash and Marks and Spencer's vouchers from it.

Two days later he stole 11 DVDs from his parents' house and sold them for £2.50 each in a local pub, also to fund his heroin habit.

And on February 22, he let himself into his parents' house, while his mother was home, and without even seeing how she was, went into his brother's room and stole an Xbox and a mobile phone.

On this occasion he was caught in the act by his brother, who chased after him but did not catch him. When Cain was arrested in early March, he was found in possession of a small quantity of cannabis resin.

Since these events, the court heard that Cain's parents had subsequently died and that he had only returned to Swindon for the funeral.

The court did not hear the exact details of Cain's parents illness and a decision was also made to not divulge their exact address so the grieving family could be left in peace.

Rob Ross, defending, told the court that Cain has now taken a step in the right direction and that he is facing up to his actions. Mr Ross said: "He deeply regrets his actions and he is now trying to get back on the straight and narrow and is determined to do so.

"His parents never gave up on him but he gave up on himself."

Cain is now living in Ashley House, a rehabilitation centre, in Bristol to help kick his drug habit.

Magistrates sentenced Cain to serve an 18-month community rehabilitation order under the supervision of probation officers.

He was ordered to pay Asda £30 compensation for the DVD player he stole and £50 to his brother for the items he stole.

Jamie Hill