A REFORMING heroin addict escaped a jail sentence yesterday for the second time in just over a month.

Jamie Maesepp, 27, was given a chance five weeks ago to prove he could kick his habit when he was handed a community sentence for two theft offences and two of failing to answer bail.

At Harrogate Magistrates' Court yesterday, Maesepp pleaded guilty to stealing £134.91-worth of hairdressing products from a supermarket.

Steven Ovenden, prosecuting, said Maesepp, who was arrested within a few hundred yards of the store, had a history of dishonesty.

Geoffrey Rogers, in mitigation, said he had returned to crime not to feed his drugs habit but because he was desperate for funds.

Mr Rogers said Maesepp lived with his partner in Waterloo Street, Harrogate, and they were unable to make ends meet on her benefits alone.

Court chairman Gillian Horrox told Maesepp he had an extensive history of similar offences, including two recently for which custody had been considered.

He was given a two-month prison sentence suspended for six months and a 12-month community order requiring probation supervision, 80 hours of unpaid work and attendance on a drugs rehabilitation course.