AN agricultural student has been jailed after he went shoplifting to fund a heroin habit.

Ross Lewis, formerly of Spring Hill, Tavistock, was already on a suspended sentence and had lost the support of a Christian rehabilitation project in Mid Devon when he went thieving in Exeter.

He was jailed at Exeter Crown Court after a judge said he could not see any reason not to impose the suspended sentence, which was made in November 2014 for a burglary in Tavistock.

Lewis, aged 21, was a student at Bicton College but developed problems with drugs after moving out of the Amber Foundation in Chawleigh.

His need for money led him to steal items from Boots and The Range in Exeter and he also failed to keep appointments with the probation service.

Lewis admitted two thefts and was jailed for a total of eleven months, which included the activation of eight out of nine months of his previous suspended sentence.

Judge Phillip Wassall rejected a suggestion that he be freed to work with his mother on her farm near Tavistock. He said the suspended sentence should come into effect because there was nothing to suggest it would be unfair to implement it.

Miss Francesca Whebell, prosecuting, said Lewis stole a £19.99 smart stick and a £20 pair of speakers from Boots in Exeter High Street on July 18 and a £17.99 Harry Potter DVD set from The Range on August 17. He told police he was planning to sell them for £5 to buy drugs.

Miss Sarah Hornblower, defending, said Lewis had been unable to complete an unpaid work requirement from his previous sentence because he had been diagnosed with depression.

He had been subject to a residence requirement at the Amber Foundation at one time and is hoping to receive more help from them and support in the future.

She said he was the father of a young child and missed one of his probation appointments because the baby was in hospital after a meningitis scare.

She said: ‘He is a care leaver who has experienced some difficulties. He started doing his community service work but buried his head in the sand. Things became too much for him and he started committing offences to fund a heroin habit.

‘He is extremely remorseful. He has been a student at Bicton College and his mother has offered him an address at her farm at Tavistock, where he could assist her.’