A MAN who stole a safe from a South Woodford charity shop could be facing a lengthy jail term.

Roy Saville, 39, of Goldings Road, Loughton, will remain in Pentonville Prison until Monday (July 20) after his sentencing was adjourned at Redbridge Magistrates Court today.

Saville, who has been a heroin addict for over a decade, has been in custody since June, when he was caught red-handed stealing a safe from the Children's Society charity shop in George Lane.

The safe, which was kept in the back room of the shop, was originally thought to contain £250, but it was revealed today that the actual sum was only £20, with the rest of the money accounting for the damage to the shop.

In an application against bail being granted today, the Crown Prosecution said: “On the 19th of June, shortly after midnight, a witness saw Mr Saville climb out of the smashed door window of the Children's Society charity shop in George Lane, South Woodford.

“He was seen to be carrying a black rucksack and then walked off down an alleyway out of sight.

“They called the police and then another witness saw Mr Saville climb out of the shop window again with the metal safe in a blue crate.”

Mr Saville's previous convictions were also listed, including one for assault in March this year and one for shop lifting in December.

Miss Danielle Viall, who represented Mr Saville, said the incident was a “low value” crime that he was pushed to do to fund his drug habit.

She said: “Mr Saville has had a drugs problem for the last 15 years.

“He tested positive for cocaine at the time of his arrest and it's the cocaine that brought him back into defending behavior.

“He has been trying hard to fight that habit and has gone through a detox in prison.

“He has also resisted temptation despite being offered Class A drugs in custody.”

She added: “Having been a drug user for 15 years, I would submit that he's not a prolific offender given his addiction to heroin.”

Mr Saville was however told to remain in custody until the probation service had prepared a pre-sentence report, due to fears that he would fail to attend or commit further offenses.

Mr Saville is due to appear again st Redbridge Magistrates Court in the morning of Monday, July 20.