A DRUG user turned to theft when he was left three weeks without money, while transferring to Universal Credit, Island magistrates heard on Tuesday.

Jamie Matlock, of Hope Mead, Newchurch, admitted six counts of theft.

He stole meat worth £9 from Sandown Co-op on January 30, and meat, fish and coffee worth £30.39 from Tesco on Lake Hill the same day.

He took meat worth £80.82 from Sandown Co-op on February 3, and meat worth £20 from the same store on February 5.

On February 11 he stole meat worth £26.76, again from the Co-op, and on March 27 he stole an electric toothbrush worth £99.99 from Boots in Shanklin.

Ann Smout, prosecuting, said all the incidents had been captured on CCTV.

Matlock, 37, had last been in court for theft in May 2018, when he was sent into custody.

Keith Verrinder, for Matlock, said his client was in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance but had three weeks without money when he was moved over to Universal Credit.

"He was stealing because he did not have any other way to get anything to eat. He has a problem with heroin — that costs money — and the most recent offence was all about needing money to buy heroin."

The probation service confirmed Matlock was a drug user but was attending Inclusion services and had a desire to stop his drug use.

Magistrates sentenced him to a 12-month community order to include a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and up to 20 rehabilitation days.

He was also ordered to pay £266 compensation for the stolen goods.