A MAN went on a shoplifting spree to fund a cocaine habit after returning to the drug after a council-run abuse recovery service was withdrawn.

David Morrison stole alcohol and food during a series of six raids on local shops within a month, the sheriff court heard.

His lawyer, Graeme Wright, said: "Contact that was there previously for him at the Wellpark Centre was no longer available to him.

"This led to him taking cocaine, which made him feel better initially, and then he slipped into stealing items to fund it."

Morrison, of Dubbs Road in Port Glasgow, targeted the town's Aldi store twice as well as Iceland and Tesco in both the Port and Greenock between August 2 and 30.

Sheriff Joseph Hughes banned him from the stores for two years.

Morrison has also been placed on a six-month electronic tagging order, a two-year supervision programme and must complete 180 hours of unpaid work.