A SWINDON drug addict, who left a trail of destruction during a shoplifting spree, has escaped a prison sentence.

Swindon Crown Court yesterday heard that John Young, 23, of Norman Road, Gorse Hill, stole hundreds of pounds worth of designer goods from town centre stores to fund his spiralling drug addiction.

At an earlier hearing Young admitted four counts of theft and asked for 33 other matters to be taken into consideration.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting told the court that Young, who has a string of previous theft convictions, was captured on CCTV security cameras positioned inside the stores, scooping goods up.

On October 13 he was seen escaping with clothes valued at £935 from House Of Fraser.

Just two days later he returned to the store in Canal Walk and stole another £375 worth of designer goods, before staff could catch up with him.

On the night of October 17 the court was told that he threw a drain cover through the door of clothes store Urban in Havelock Street and took goods worth £683.95.

A few hours later in the early hours of the morning, he travelled to Groundwell Petrol Station where he threw a concrete block through the window. He then raided the till and cigarette shelves, escaping with £400 of cash and tobacco products. The damage was estimated at £900.

Marcus Davey, in mitigation, said his client was determined to get his life back on track and tackling his drug addiction was the first step in doing that.

His last conviction was in September 2002.

Judge Charles Wade told Young that it was clearly in the public's interest that his addiction was addressed.

"You have been before this court on a number of occasions for stealing from shops," he said.

Placing a nine-month Drug Rehabilitation Order on Young, Judge Wade said he gave credit for the fact that the thefts all took place from commercial buildings and not from people's homes.

But he added: "You left a trail of damage behind and your record is appalling. There is no doubt that it is linked to drugs.

"This is not going to be easy. You will face random testing and if you breach the order the court will consider prison."

Kevin Shoesmith