A HOMELESS drug addict was branded a pest and a menace as he was jailed for 12 months.

Thomas West, aged 31, of no fixed address, smashed open the back door of a derelict council house in Hollycroft Avenue, Darcy Lever, Bolton Crown Court was told.

West pleaded guilty to criminal damage, theft and two counts of breaching an anti-social behaviour order.

Rachel White, prosecuting, said that on January 13, West stole a car stereo, a satellite navigation system and a computer disc worth around £335 from a Honda Civic car parked in Toronto Street, Breightmet, Later that day, he broke into the house in Darcy Lever because he was looking for somewhere to sleep, the court heard.

A neighbour caught him in the act and called the police.

Andrew Costello, defending said West was a recovering heroin addict and was now taking valium instead.

He said: "He is a pest and a menace, but is certainly not dangerous.

"He is his own worst enemy."

Passing sentence, Miss Recorder Brody said: "The offences are so serious no other sentence can be justified."

West was given 12 months in prison for breaching his anti social behaviour order, and four months each for theft and criminal damage, to run concurrently.