A MAN who admitted his 68th breach of a driving ban and stealing to cheer up his depressed partner was given a chance to prove he could kick an 11-year drugs habit yesterday.

Jonathan Vere Hutton, 36, was given bail by Harrogate magistrates until June 16 for his suitability for a drug treatment and testing order (DTTO) to be assessed.

Hutton, of Poplar Grove, Bilton, Harrogate pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance on May 9.

He also admitted two shoplifting offences.

Simon Ostler, prosecuting, said two days after his driving offences, the 68th time he had been caught at the wheel in defiance of a ban, Hutton had walked from Harrogate's Safeway supermarket with £6.13-worth of chocolate bars concealed in his clothing.

He had been spotted by security staff and later told police his partner had been depressed and he wanted to cheer her up but had no money to buy chocolate.

Eight days later Hutton had been caught on security cameras walking from Boots in Harrogate with £58.38-worth of skin care products.

Richard Buchanan, defending, said Hutton, who had served numerous prison sentences, had been a heroin addict for 11 years but recently sought help, had been prescribed the heroin substitute methadone and would like the opportunity to undergo a DTTO.