A JUDGE has given a Brierley Hill heroin addict a chance to continue his determined fight to beat his drug habit.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday October 7, Ronald Wheeler, aged 31, admitted possessing heroin but the court heard he had been providing negative blood tests while remanded in custody.

Recorder, Mark Wall QC, sentenced Wheeler, of Talbot Street, to a 40 week jail term suspended for two years, made him the subject of a two year supervision order and instructed him to go on a drug rehabilitation programme.

Nicholas Smith, defending, told the hearing Wheeler finally had the motivation to put his life back onto the rails.

Mr Smith said: “He knows that if he can resolve his drug addiction he can lead a law abiding life. If he can steer clear of drugs he should be alright.”

The Recorder said Wheeler had spent the equivalent of a year behind bars while being held on remand.

He added: “I take the view it would not be in the public interest to keep you in custody for a short while longer, you have used your time in custody to get free of drugs and stay on the right track.

“If you commit another offence you will go to prison but, with a habit such as you have, it is clear you need support to stay away from drugs.”

Michael Taylor, prosecuting, said Wheeler had a number of drug related offences going back to 2002 and he had served prison sentences.