AN alcoholic has been jailed after failing to stick to the requirements of his court orders.
Graeme Storey was jailed for 12 weeks after appearing at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court and admitting breaching three court orders.
The court heard Storey was subject to a nine-month supervision order imposed in January for theft from a shop.
A probation service representative told magistrates that in June, Storey was given a further 12 month supervision order for possession of an offensive weapon and being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle.
In August, the 36-year-old was then given a 12-week suspended prison sentence for three further counts of theft.
But the court heard he failed to attend supervision appointments on August 19 and September 11.
The probation service officer told the court Storey claimed he had not attended the September appointment due to being hospitalised having over-dosed on heroin, but further investigations found no evidence of this.
Barry Gray, mitigating, said Storey used alcohol to overcome an addiction to heroin, which he has succeeded in beating.
Mr Gray said alcohol "got a grip of him" and he has reached a stage of "chronic alcoholism".
Mr Gray said Storey, of no fixed abode, "made up excuses" as to why he was not there and that once he comes out of prison he will be sober.
Magistrates revoked the community orders and activated the suspended prison sentence of 12 weeks.
