A MAN with a drug habit may escape a prison sentence if he proves he is suitable for strict probation regime to overcome his addiction, a court heard.

James Etheridge breached a previously-imposed community rehabilitation order by altering a doctor's prescription for 20 tranquillisers by adding a figure '1' to enable him to obtain 120 of the pills.

Durham Crown Court heard he also broke into a home in Rutland Road, Consett, in June, while he was living next door at the time, in May.

Stephen Rich, prosecuting, said his fingerprints were found at the point of entry of the house following the day-time raid, in which £2,000-worth of goods, mostly electrical goods and jewellery, were taken, leading to his arrest in June.

Etheridge, 28, of Fellside, Delves Lane, Consett, admitted using a false instrument, the altered prescription, obtaining the 100 extra pills by deception, and burglary.

He also asked for two further burglaries committed in the Consett area, in June, including one at Shotley Hall, Shotley Bridge, to be considered.

Anne Haugstad, defending, told the court: "He offends to get money to buy drugs and he would like to be considered for suitability for a drug treatment and testing order."

Judge Peter Bowers agreed to adjourn sentence to allow Etheridge to be assessed for suitability for such a regime.

Remanding him in custody for three weeks pending the assessment, Judge Bowers told Etheridge: "Don't build your hopes up. If it was up to me, I would put you away for about three years."