Drug addict locked up for break-in

A drug addict who broke into a former West Bromwich post office has been jailed.

Hitesh Dhirajlal, 26, from Clive Street, West Bromwich, admitted burglary when he appeared at the town's magistrates court yesterday.

The court heard heroin addict Dhirajlal smashed a window to get in the Old Post Office in the High Street. He also admitted possession of a Class A drug.

Mrs Sarah Cooper, prosecuting, told the court officers were called on Tuesday.

Mrs Cooper said officers spotted Dhirajlal through the window. She said: "The officers stood two feet away watching the defendant and the one officer says he saw the defendant bend over and appeared to be placing an item down his trousers."

Dhirajlal resisted arrest so a police dog was used.

Dhirajlal complained of being injured by the dog and was taken to Sandwell Hospital. It was here the heroin was found.

Mr Kevin Goode, defending, said: "For reasons best known to himself and probably fuelled by a combination of very strong drink and drugs he broke into the premises, clambered in, there was nothing to steal and very shortly afterwards the police arrived and he was arrested."

Dhirajlal was given 12 months in jail for burglary and four weeks for the drugs offence which was ordered to run concurrently.