A drug user who committed thefts three months after being given a community order has avoided a prison sentence.
Michael Dunne, 40, of Carmichael Close, South Ruislip, was given a 38-week custodial sentence suspended for two years at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court last Thursday.
In April last year he was issued with a community order at Staines Magistrates' Court, but failed to comply and just three months later, in July, he committed two further offences.
The first was attempting to steal two spare wheels and tyres worth £1,600 each from Mercedes-Benz articulated lorries at a service station in Heston.
He then went on to steal five spare van tyres worth £100 from National Car Rentals, in New Road, Harlington.
In April last year, he also drove a car while disqualified in The Runway, South Ruislip, and later claimed he had heard voices telling him to do it.
As well as the suspended sentence, Dunne, who suffers from mental health problems, was told to take part in a drug rehabilitation program for one year by the district judge, Deborah Wright.
Speaking before the sentence, Laura Mackinnon, defending, said: "He has been finding the drug work very helpful and there has been a noted improvement in terms of reduction in his drugs use.
"Since working with Hillingdon, the amount of money he spends on drugs has plummeted dramatically.
"He used to spend £200 a week on drugs, but it has gone down to about £10. He feels that is a real step forward.
"He is very willing and motivated to comply with any drugs work that is imposed by the court and he has accepted the offences he committed were drug-related."
Dunne was also disqualified from driving for one year.
