A DRUG addict accused of stealing a £100 coat on the day he was released from custody fled from the court after he was warned he could face jail.

Carl Alexander admitted stealing the ladies leather jacket from TK Maxx in the town centre even though it was one of the stores he was banned from entering because is has had an exclusion order imposed on him.

But when magistrates indicated they were considering sentencing without reports, they allowed the 25-year-old, who was on bail, time to speak to his solicitor and he fled the building.

A warrant was then issued for his arrest and detention.

Earlier the court had heard how Alexander had gone to the shop in the Brunel Centre on the afternoon of July 1 and removed labels from the jacket before putting it in a carrier bag and leaving.

Alexander, 25, of Mildmay Close, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary before leaving the court.

Magistrates were told he had 55 previous convictions for theft and similar offences and was jailed for four months in March for two counts of shoplifting and breaching a conditional discharge and drug treatment and testing order.