A young man introduced to cocaine by two Whitehaven drug dealers has seen his life taken over by addiction, a court heard.

Albert Newell's descent into crime to fund his addiction to the class A drug was spelled out at Carlisle Crown Court after he admitted four recent thefts in west Cumbria when he stole alcohol worth hundreds of pounds.

The 23-year-old, of Pica Cottages, near Whitehaven, committed the offences on dates in November.

On the 13th of the month, he strolled into Sainsbury's in Cockermouth and stole seven bottles of spirits, worth £175.

Three days later, he stole seven bottles of Whisky from M&S in Workington. That haul of booze was worth £244, the court heard.

His next crime was on November 20, when he and a woman stole alcohol from a petrol station in Whitehaven, taking beer, wine and milk.

On November 22, after parking his car in Home Bargains in Whitehaven, Newell committed the final theft, helping himself to four boxes of washing powder, which he simply loaded into the boot of his car.

He was traced after CCTV recorded his car's number plate. When he was interviewed by police, Newell said he was desperate for cash. He said he had stolen both the alcohol and the washing powder to order.

David Thompson, for Newell, said: "This is a young man who was resorting to shoplifting to obtain cash to feed a drugs habit.

"I acknowledge that it was stealing to order, and often that is what people with drugs habits do."

Until February this year, Newell was a man with an unblemished record, hard-working and with no convictions or cautions.

Mr Thompson said: "He was introduced to two people who were looking for accommodation in Whitehaven. He agreed to put them up in his house. As it turned out, they were drug dealers.

"They used Mr Newell's premises for the purpose of drug dealing activities... They also got him to use drugs as well.

"That turned his life upside down completely."

After being released from jail for earlier offences, including a conspiracy to burgle and four like offences, he had drifted back into drug use - particularly cocaine, to which he was now addicted.

"Drugs have in fact taken over his life," said Mr Thompson.

His crimes were committed to pay for his addiction but Newell has now admitted he needs help to tackle this.

"If he doesn't get that help," added Mr Thompson, "his risk of reoffending remains high." Recorder Stephen Bedford remanded the defendant in custody and he will be sentenced on December 21.