A drug user who 'reached rock bottom' and stole from his mother has been given a chance to turn his life around.

Calum Reddington-Geary, currently living in temporary accommodation in City Road, Chester, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Wednesday for sentence.

The 25-year-old had previously admitted theft, aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance and otherwise than in accordance with a licence - all of which took place over the course of two days in May.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that the victim, Joanne Reddington-Geary, is the defendant's mother.

On May 5, he entered her Wrexham home through an unlocked door and told his mother he had nowhere to go following a row with his partner.

She allowed him to stay there and went to bed, but after going to bed, she awoke to find he'd taken her car without permission, as well as £120 from her purse.

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The defendant was involved in a collision, leading to his arrest and charges.

Stephen Edwards, defending, told the court Reddington-Geary still had the support of his family, despite the offences.

He said: "This is an intelligent lad. He went to university for two years and was doing well.

"But a sad story developed; he dabbled in recreational drugs, developed a dependency and that quickly took hold of his life.

"He ran up a drug debt and came into contact with some nasty people - then dropped out of university.

"His life went into a spiral - but it doesn't need to be that way.

"He has reached rock bottom, stealing from his family. 

"But he is anxious to get his life back on track and he's working with the Elms.

"He is capable of rehabilitation, he just needs to take advantage of the support available."

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For taking the vehicle, the court handed down a 12 month community order with 25 days of rehabilitation activity, as well as a 120 day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement.

He was banned from driving for 12 months and must pay £120 compensation, a £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

No separate penalty was imposed in respect of the other matters, but a 12 month restraining order was put in place to prevent the defendant from attending his mum's address.