A HEROIN addict escaped prison after telling compassionate magistrates: "I hate my life - I go out every day to supply my drug habit."

Daniel Keep, 22, who has also contracted Hepatitis C through his five year dependency on the drug, admitted theft and handling stolen goods when he appeared before the town's magistrates.

In a heart-felt plea for a last chance he told them how he desperately needed to kick a habit which had him committing petty offences in order to fund his addiction.

He had already served two jail sentences for associated crimes.

In a frank, but chilling, public disclosure the addict said: "Every day I wake up and think, 'where am I going to get my money for a bag?'

"I've got a girlfriend whom I will lose forever if I don't come off drugs, but she will support me if I do."

Keep's appeal did not fall on deaf ears after magistrates decided to put him on a strict, last-chance drug treatment programme.

The Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO) involves an intensive course of counselling and methadone treatment as well as regular and random urine tests at the Barnabas Centre in Macclesfield.

Later Keep said in an exclusive interview: "I need to change my life.

"I know the DTTO is going to be hard work.

"But I know I'm going to do it this time because I know I am going to lose her if I don't get off it."

Keep said that he had been on heroin since he was 17 and had been to prison twice because of the life of crime it forced him into.

When magistrate Helen Jarman asked Keep if he was prepared to put in the amount of effort involved with such an order he said: "Yes - and more."

Keep, formerly of Macclesfield but now of Lindfield Estate North, Wilmslow, admitted to two counts of handling stolen goods - a bottle of brandy and £20 from a stolen handbag.

He also admitted to three counts of theft, including CDs from Gamezone and WH Smith on Mill Street.

Mrs Jarman put Keen on a six month DTTO and said: "We are satisfied you are addicted to drugs."

He was not ordered to pay costs because of his financial situation.

To read Keen's full and frank interview, read the Wilmslow Express newspaper. Out Thursday.