A drug addict admitted breaking into two colleges and handling goods stolen from burglaries to fund a heroin habit.

Gareth Long, 22, of Bassett Road, Barton, Oxford, pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court to handling an electronic organiser and holdall between July 29 and August 15 this year, and electrical goods and luggage worth 566 between August 7 and August 15.

He also admitted breaking into Merton College on March 27 and stealing money from the laundry machine and breaking into Lincoln College on the same day.

Rod Hine, defending, said Long needed the money to fund his drug addiction and hoped drug treatment would break the pattern.

Judge Mary-Jane Mowatt sentenced him to two years' probation on the condition he underwent treatment.