A HEROIN addict, who stole meat from a string of shops to feed his habit, was given a 12-month community order.

Neal Toner, 39, was told by Judge Jonathan Rose at Bradford Crown Court it was “quite conceivable” he would not live to 40.

He said: “Your life is going in one of two directions – in and out of prison because you shoplift, or you’re going to die. That would be a wasted life because you’re an intelligent man.”

Toner, of North Dean Road, Braithwaite, Keighley, who admitted shoplifting, told the judge yesterday that he had taken heroin a week ago, but was prescribed regular methadone and had not smoked cannabis for over a year.

Judge Rose ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work under probation surpervision, with a nine-month Drugs Rehabilitation Requirement, saying it was better than sending him to prison, if he took the chance.

Toner thanked the judge and said he was absolutely prepared to do the order.