A HEROIN addict who was discovered with £60 worth of the drug in Chippenham High Street has been allowed home on bail for Christmas to see his terminally ill mother.

Patrick Button, 26, of Freshbrook, in Swindon, pleaded guilty before magistrates in Chippenham on Monday to possession of a class A drug on March 14.

Appearing in court in breach of a probabtion order, Button also pleaded guilty to the theft of toiletries from Moss Pharmacy, in Calne, at 9.40am on October 23.

Button has been given conditional bail to appear again before magistrates at 2pm on January 14.

Magistrates have ordered that reports into drug treatment and testing should be prepared for the court.

Rhys Davies, prosecuting, said police arrested Button in Chippenham High Street on March 14 after seeing him acting nervously.

Four silver foil wraps containing brown powder were discovered in his sock.

Mr Davies said Button told police it was heroin, and when tested the heroin weighed .53g, worth a street value of £35.

"During interviewing, he admitted it was heroin and said he had bought six wraps two days earlier for £60," said Mr Davies.

"He told police he had a wrap-a-day habit and had smoked the other two."

On October 23, Button stole two Tweed gift boxes of toiletries, from Moss Pharmacy, in Calne.

"He told police he did have a heroin habit and had stolen them for cash to buy heroin to finance his habit," said Mr Davies.

Amanda Sewell, defending, said Button had been addicted to heroin for four years but wanted to kick the habit.

Graham Baskerville, the chairman of the bench, said magistrates were considering keeping Button in custody over Christmas to help him off drugs.

But, Mr Button's brother, Stephen, 32, of Cottager Close, Swindon, addressed the court and said their mother was ill and was facing her last Christmas.

Button's sister and sister-in-law were also in court.

Mr Button said it was important his brother was at home and that he would keep him under 24-hour supervision.

"We want to support my brother as much as we can, with the way our mother is, and we want to get him off the heroin," said Mr Button, speaking under oath.

Mr Button said the doctor has told him and his family that this could be their mother's last Christmas."

Mr Button, a self-employed refurbisher, said he would employ his brother as a labourer and would ensure he goes to each meeting under the magistrates' order.