A MAN who stole a DVD player while waiting to appear before magistrates for another theft has escaped a jail sentence.

Carl Biddiss, of Cottell Avenue, Chatham, appeared before Maidstone magistrates on Thursday after he was caught stealing a pocket video recorder, worth almost £400, from Dixons in The Mall Chequers shopping centre.

The case was adjourned until later that afternoon but during the break Biddiss, 36, went to the Army and Navy store in Week Street and was caught on CCTV walking out with a DVD player valued at just over £200.

He pleaded guilty to both charges on Friday saying he stole to pay for his drug habit.

He also pleaded guilty to an charge of driving while disqualified. But magistrates decided not to send him to prison because they felt previous custodial sentences had not deterred him from crime.

Instead, they imposed a community rehabilitation order lasting 18 months and told Biddiss he must attend a Think First programme to help deal with his addiction.

He was also disqualified from driving for another three years and fined £300 for driving with no insurance.