A DRUG addict with a record of more than 130 offences was spared prison after a judge heard he is determined to turn his life around.

Lee Roberts was given a community order with supervision after being caught twice in three days with heroin, cocaine, amphetamine and diazepam.

In a letter to the judge, Recorder Ray Singh, Roberts said the birth of his child had prompted him to re-evaluate his life and made him determined to beat his habit.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 29-year-old, from Darlington, has a criminal record containing 132 offences - mainly for driving matters and theft.

On March 7, police were called to a pub by people suspicious about activity surrounding a car, Jacqueline Edwards, prosecuting, told the court.

Roberts was arrested and was found by police to have small amounts of cocaine and amphetamine as well as diazepam anti-anxiety tablets.

He was given bail, but two days later he was stopped in King Street, Darlington, and had ten wraps of heroin in his hand, said Miss Edwards.

Richard Herrmann, mitigating, said most of Roberts' crimes could be described as "nuisance offending".

"Because of the changes in his life detailed in the letter, he is desperate for help from the Probation Service, " Mr Hermann said.

"There is no getting around the fact that for a man of his age, he has a horrendous record."

Roberts, of North Road, Darlington, admitted two charges of possessing Class A drugs and one each of possessing Class B and Class C substances.

He was given a community order with 12 months of probation supervision and a sixmonth drug rehabilitation requirement by Mr Recorder Singh.

The judge told him: "It appears this is a turning point in your life, but only you can take the opportunity. Don't betray the trust this court has placed in you."