A DRUG addict, with a prolific offending record, said he attempted to break into a car as a 'cry for help'.

Halton Magistrates Court heard on Friday Mark Fleming had told officers he was 'sick of having no money and being addicted to drugs' and hoped his actions would move him along the priority list for rehabilitation treatment.

The 42-year-old, of Whitecross Road, pleaded guilty to attempted theft after a witness spotted him with a screwdriver standing next to a Ford Focus car with a Sat Nav on display on the Whitecross estate on Thursday.

Alison Warburton, prosecuting, said: "The witness was concerned what the defendant was doing and phoned the police.

"When police arrived, the defendant was walking away from one of the garages and 10 metres from where he was first seen by officers they located a screwdriver and found damage to the door handle of the Ford Focus.

"When he was arrested he said it was a cry for help and he was a drug addict in constant pain.

"He admitted he had gone out that day to commit a crime."

Fleming had 38 previous convictions for 120 offences including 73 theft matters.

Gary Heaven, defending, said Fleming's offending had 'slowed down' in recent years after bringing his drug addiction under control.

He added: "He's now come to an age of maturity and been agitating for rehabilitation.

"Even though he's not using now he still has problems particularly with those who knew him as a drug user.

"He's not regarded with any sense of priority for rehabilitation and thought getting the attention of the authorities might help to ease that along."

Magistrates adjourned the case until October 17 to carry out a pre-sentence report.