A MAN who raided firms in Quarry Bank and Brierley Hill after lapsing back into his drug addiction has been spared further time behind bars.

Craig Poole, aged 31, who was described as having a "lengthy criminal career" - had managed to resolve his drug and alcohol problems until the sudden death of a family member.

Poole was with an unknown accomplice when they broke into LD Communications in High Street, Quarry Bank, where they ransacked the premises before escaping with £500 worth of distinctive mobile phone covers.

He then raided Heat Flow Contracts in Pedmore Road, Brierley Hill and got away with property including a TV, tools and a small amount of petty cash.

Geoffrey Dann, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court Poole also drove away two of the firms vehicles but one of them was fitted with a tracker device and police officers were able to locate and arrest him.

He said Poole was caught on CCTV in the Quarry Bank shop and the owner later identified him having been robbed by the same man six years earlier.

Judge James Burbidge QC told Poole burgling commercial premises was extremely serious because their owners were significantly affected and left wondering whether or not to continue in business.

He told Poole of Lodge Crescent, Netherton: "They feel their efforts could have been wasted or destroyed by people like you."

But he said that because he had spent time in custody on remand since his arrest he was prepared to give him a chance as he warned him that he would go straight to prison if he broke the law again.

Poole, a man with 69 previous convictions on his criminal record, admitted the two burglaries and he was given a 14 month jail term suspended for 18 months and ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid work in the community.

The judge further made him the subject of a two month curfew and said he accepted a "sad occurrence" in his recent life had put him back on drugs and alcohol.

Simon Hanns, for Poole, told the court his client was remorseful for the raids and he understood the impact the two crimes had on the unfortunate owners of the businesses.

He said that since he had been held in custody after his arrest he was once again drug free adding: "There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation."