A Bradford drug addict, hooked on heroin since the age of 13, tried to get himself locked up so he could finally kick the habit.

Mark Whyatt, 19, of Pollard Park, appeared in Court yesterday after smoking heroin in a police station and pretending to be involved in armed robbery so he could go 'cold turkey' in custody.

Drug projects and medication had failed to cure his addiction and he was finally driven to making up a crime he did not commit.

Yesterday, Bradford Magistrates' Court heard how Whyatt, sure that he would be arrested and kept in custody, went to Lawcroft House police station in Lilycroft Road, Manningham, and started smoking a joint of heroin in the foyer. He also had a kitchen knife in his pocket.

He was told that smoking was not allowed in the building and when asked what he was smoking he replied: "It's smack."

As he had hoped, he was arrested and charged with possessing a controlled drug. But instead of being locked up, he was bailed to appear before the 'fast-track' court.

A few days later, despite urging the court to remand him in custody, he was again bailed so that a pre-sentence report -- excluding the option of a prison sentence -- could be prepared.

Still desperate to lose his liberty, Whyatt agreed when the female half of a middle-aged couple who had befriended him suggested making up a story that he had robbed her at knifepoint.

He was then charged with robbery, despite telling the police it was a made-up allegation.

That charge was eventually dropped at the crown court, but Whyatt had got his wish of spending several weeks in custody.

"He has now been clear of drugs for several weeks,"' solicitor Andrew Walker told the city's magistrates.

"We have dealt with some strange cases in our time, but never anything as daft as this."

The woman had been cautioned by the police for her part in the robbery allegation, said Mr Walker.

Whyatt, of Hendford Drive, Bradford, pleaded guilty to possessing heroin and a bladed article, and wasting police time.

He was given a 12-month community and rehabilitation order.

Speaking after the hearing, Whyatt said he had tried everything to kick the habit he had taken up while looking after his disabled mother.

He said: "I was desperate - with drugs I had lost everything.

"I found going to prison was my only choice. I'd gone on methadone programmes and had counselling and de-tox. Methadone just doesn't work as you do drugs on top and it makes the habit worse.

"After three weeks in custody, they let me out on bail, but I was still withdrawing. I ended up breaking bail to get sent back for another three weeks.

"But I got what I wanted - I got off the drugs."

After the hearing, Karl Dallas, chairman of Bradford Community Health Council, said the case highlighted the importance of having an in-house detoxification and rehabilitation unit in the city.

He said: "This young man's tragic story just emphasises the need we identified three years ago.