AN ‘opportunist’ thief wrestling with a drug problem stole a bike after a man left it unsecured outside his friend’s house in Worcester.

Glenn Jones rode off on the orange Mongoose Fireline dirt bike after Daniel Hearne left it unlocked outside a friend’s house at Frederik Court, in Infirmary Walk.

Jones, aged 26, of Arboretum Road, Worcester, admitted stealing the pedal cycle valued at £242 on July 18 when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester on Thursday, August 18.

Kamar Uddin, prosecuting, said Mr Hearne left the bike outside his friend’s house against a wall before walking into Worcester city centre.

Mr Hearne’s friend later received a call from his partner saying the bike was no longer outside the address and the police were called.

University of Worcester CCTV from Infirmary Walk showed a male with his hood up concealing his face accompanied by a female. He was seen to enter Frederik Court.

“Seconds later he reappears with the bike matching the description of the one Mr Hearne said he left behind. The male cycles off in the direction of Angel Place and disappears off camera," Mr Uddin said.

The woman in the CCTV was identified and because of that officers were able to identify the man with her – her partner Glenn Jones.

Cash Converters in Worcester was also able to confirm that Jones had sold them the bike.

Will Harrison, defending, said Jones had entered a guilty plea at the earliest available opportunity and should be given full credit for that.

Mr Harrison said: “He says it was an opportunist theft. The bike was not secured. Mr Jones has walked past and very opportunistically has taken it and sold it to Cash Converters for £50. He is currently subject to a community order with a rehabilitation requirement. In general he’s doing quite well on that order."

He said the offence happened at a time when Jones did not have a prescription to help with his drug use but he had since been given a new methadone script.

Tony Fussey, chairman of the magistrates' bench, said: "Your record is appalling."

They ordered a community order be imposed to include an electronically tagged curfew. Jones must be indoors between 8pm and 8am daily.

Jones was further ordered to pay £125 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.