A MAN who broke into a homeless charity centre and stole fairy lights and a laptop out of 'boredom' and to 'feed his drug addiction' has avoided jail, a court heard.

Troy Russell, of Sherborne Drive, pleaded guilty to two charges of burglary at a Salisbury Magistrates Court hearing on Monday, June 12.

The 26-year-old stole two iPhone chargers from a marquee at Go Skydive on January 15, totalling £34.

Victoria Hill, prosecuting, told the court that this offence was committed while Russell was subject to a conditional discharge for a previous similar offence.

He was also serving a community order at the time of the offence.

Then, on March 11, Russell broke into Alabare Christian Care and stole an Apple Mac.

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The court heard that Russell arrived at the support centre on his bicycle at 9.10pm and turned up a CCTV camera before damaging another using a hammer.

Russell then broke a window to gain access to the computer room.

While climbing through the window, he damaged the blind and then made off with a computer.

Afterwards, he was seen on CCTV damaging an outside door before leaving on his bicycle.

Russell returned the next day, March 12, for just seven minutes and stole some fairy lights.

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Nick Redhead, defending, said Russell's offences had "very little in the way of sophistication" and that he had previously suffered a stroke which prevents him from completing unpaid work.

In relation to damaging the CCTV camera, Mr Redhead added: "Any sensible individual would have realised at that point that he was caught on camera."

Chair magistrate Stephen Harrison said Russell had an "unenviable conviction record", adding: "It appears the motivation behind his offending is boredom and feeding a drug habit and there is a wish to continue using drugs."

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Russell was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months, for burgling Alabare.

He must also pay £1,080 compensation, which was added to his outstanding £2,300 court debt.

Additionally, he must abide by a curfew from 7pm to 8pm, seven days a week, for eight weeks and complete 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

A one-month suspended prison sentence for 18 months was also handed to Russell to run concurrently.

Mr Harrison said there is a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation" for Russell.

"The last time you were put on a suspended sentence order you completed. Just be aware, if you get bored again and decide to commit one of these burglaries you will go to prison," Mr Harrison added.