A RELEASED convict stole £55 from the wallet of a disabled man who gave him shelter.

When 25-year-old drug addict Andrew Paul Graham was released from prison earlier this month with nowhere to stay, an old family friend let him sleep on his sofa.

Chester Magistrates Court heard on Friday that little more than a week later, on April 22, Graham took the money from the man's flat in Plas Dinas, Blacon.

"He is registered disabled and has known the defendant since he was 12 because he is a friend of his mother," said prosecutor Rob Youds.

Graham, who is addicted to heroin and crack cocaine, took his chance after getting a bath.

Mr Youds added: "He said he’d go and dress in the bedroom. 10 minutes later he came out and said he was going to visit his mother because he owed her money."

It was an hour later when the family friend discovered the money was missing.

Stephen Coop defending said: "In anyone’s view it’s a particularly mean offence."

Chair of the bench James Fawson sentenced Graham to serve the 95 days triggered by committing an offence while on licence and an additional 14 weeks for the offence itself.