A LYE man who stole from a children's centre to fund his £500 a day crack habit has avoided jail.

Cocaine addict Timothy Partridge appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court today (Thursday June 5) to be sentenced for a raid at Kids Orchard Centre in Lye.

Partridge, of Vicarage Road, was given a two-year supervision order and told he must attend regular drug tests for the next 12 months.

Judge Michael Dudley said: "I fear I may be setting you up for a fall but I will give you a chance.

"It is now down to you to prove you can stay out of trouble, if you commit another offence you will go to prison for a substantial period of time."

During the break-in Partridge, aged 43, stole computers, electrical goods, cameras, mobile telephones and a quantity of petty cash worth a total of £4,500.

He sold the goods for just £1,000 to buy more drugs but was later arrested after cops found his fingerprints at the crime scene.

Mark Phillips, prosecuting, told the court Partridge had a "substantial" criminal record with seven convictions for raiding homes and seven for burgling commercial premises.

There were also other offences including two robberies, thefts and a string of motoring convictions.

Samantha Powis, defending, said: "He has lived a life of crime, he goes into prison and, when he comes out, he gets involved with drugs again and commits more offences."

She said Partridge had now been reunited with his daughter and her children and there was a new partner in his life.

Miss Powis added: "He knows he has got to stop taking drugs and he is determined to do it."

Partridge, who admitted burglary, was further told him he must obey a three-month curfew order between the hours of 7pm and 7am.