A MEMBER of the Royal British Legion has demanded a drug addict couple who stole Poppy Appeal collection tins should be made to kick their drug habits in prison.

Sabrina Burton and Michael Bailey appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Monday for their first review hearing since being spared jail for stealing three British Legion tins and one belonging to the Multiple Sclerosis Society in Oxford.

Both admitted they had yet to kick their drug addiction despite being subject to court rehabilitation orders.

Judge Julian Hall sentenced the couple, both 25, of Fettiplace Road, Barton, to six-month drug rehabilitation orders and 12 month supervision orders in February despite anger from the legion.

Headington branch chairman Terry Cox said: “They are wasting their time. They are not going to get off drugs.

“The only way they can get off it is to go to prison. They are going to prove me right and this is why I will carry on protesting about this case.”

“They may have only stolen a few bob, but that could have paid for someone’s quarterly gas bill.”

Former Army driver Robert Newton, 59, of Princess Gardens, Grove, has personally raised almost £40,000 for the Poppy Appeal over the years and dedicates about 25 hours a week to helping running his local Royal British Legion branch.

He said: “If they are trying to get off the drugs they should try harder.

“If you steal poppy tins it’s like stealing from any charity, it’s wrong. There are people worse off than they are.”

David Drew, a Poppy Appeal co-ordinator for the Vale of White Horse, added: “There is going to be a lot of hatred against them – hopefully that will jolt them out of their downward spiral.”

Friday’s court hearing was told they both admitted having traces of drugs in their systems during one of their weekly drug tests.

Judge Hall handed the couple a bronze certificate for their efforts to tackle their addiction.

He told them: “It’s not going too badly, but it’s not brilliant. ”

Burton told Judge Hall she had recently given birth to a healthy baby girl who was now in the care of social services.