A GAMBLING addict who broke into a friend's flat has banned himself from bookmakers in Bewdley, a court has been told.

Fast food restaurant worker Joe Tyler had just been paid but had spent all his money and was £15,000 in debt when he raided a flat in Springfield Rise, Bewdley, Worcester Crown Court heard.

A friend who previously lived in the flat met the 24-year-old after he finished work at McDonald's in Kidderminster on June 22 this year, Jonathan Barker, prosecuting, told the court.

The other man had fallen out with the occupant, Michael Goldsmith, over money and had left the flat but they both knew Mr Goldsmith would be away because they had visited him the night before.

They gained entry but were spotted and police were called. Tyler, of York Street, Kidderminster, was arrested as he tried to run away and nothing was stolen.

A pre-sentence report read to the court said Tyler, who pleaded guilty to burglary, had overcome an addiction to alcohol between the ages of 17 and 21 but had then turned to gambling. He had spent up to £40,000 on gambling machines and on one occasion had lost £1,500 in just 15 minutes.

He has now taken steps to tackle his problem and had contacted Gamblers Anonymous.

He had also taken advantage of a scheme run by bookmakers and provided those in the Kidderminster area with his details and his photograph to ensure they don't let him in to gamble.

The court heard Tyler still works full time and aims to go to university for a business management course.

Judge Robert Juckes, QC, gave him a 12 month community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement of 30 days and 100 hours unpaid work.

He was also given a three month electronically tagged curfew between 9pm and 6am and was ordered to pay a total of £1050 in court costs at a rate of £10 a week.