Ian Thomas and another man were caught on camera as they stole two power-drills from the Aldi store in Shirebrook.

Both were later traced and Thomas (21) told police the drills, together worth £250, had been sold on for a total of £100.

Prosecutor Peter Bettany told Chesterfield magistrates last Wednesday: "He said he shared the money with his friend and used his share for his drug habit."

Thomas, of Sherwood Drive, admitted theft on 7th February and was given a one-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £124.99 compensation and £60 costs.

He had a previous conviction for a burglary at a pub last August and was sentenced for the offence in March – receiving a one-year probation supervision order with a drug rehabilitation programme.

In mitigation, Steve Brint said: "It's a story you hear regularly in these courts. He had a very heavy amphetamine habit and was stealing to fund it.

"The burglary was to pay off drug dealers who were threatening him."

The court was told that the other offender involved in the theft was cautioned by police.