A DRUG addict has been jailed for a “despicable” break-in where he targeted a hairdresser in Eynsham.

James Webb, of Nicholson Road, Marston, Oxford, admitted using a brick to smash his way into Le Diva, in Spareacre Lane, on May 11, 2012.

Judge Gordon Risius said the 29-year-old stole £900 from a till, a further £360 from a money box, and an unknown amount from tips and charity boxes.

He said Webb’s blood was found on the broken glass, although he initially told police this was because he had stopped to see what had happened and cut himself.

Adrian Amer, defending, said his client had been a serial thief who stole to fund addictions to crack cocaine and heroin, but was trying to go straight.

He said: “What he did was a despicable offence, but he has accepted responsibility for his behaviour. He wants to apologise to the person he has caused harm to.”

Judge Risius said the offence was aggravated because Webb was a patron of the hair salon and used his knowledge of it to plan the burglary.

He sentenced him to 20 weeks in prison.