A crack cocaine addict who stole more than £5,000 worth of iPhones from Apple’s Bentall Centre store using a razorblade has been sentenced to eight months in prison.

William Hickey, 31, of Burnham Road, Dartford, was also ordered to pay £100 in compensation upon his release.

Hickey, who was on licence at the time of the offences for other drug-related crimes, also stole numerous iPhones from Apple’s Watford and Dartford shops by slicing the security tags on the boxes with a razorblade.

The iPhone 6 handsets were taken from the Bentall Centre shop on five visits he made between November and December last year.

None of the stolen phones have ever been found but police managed to trace Hickey by DNA left on the blade he used to commit the crimes.

Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday how Hickey had struggled with addiction for more than a decade after the death of his father.

Hickey’s solicitor Ms Olleson said: “In 2003 his father was diagnosed with motor-neurone disease and watching his father’s slow, drawn out death caused him to turn to drugs.

“This was obviously a planned crime but not a sophisticated one.

“He is now extremely anxious to start receiving help for his addiction, which he was not last year.

“He has been drug free since being remanded in custody on January 22 and motivated to deal with his problem.”

Hickey’s two four month sentences will be served consecutively, totalling eight months, but he was told he would serve just four months in prison.

Magistrate Mrs Hopkins said: “To your credit you pleaded guilty to all charges brought against you.

“However we find this is such a serious offence because of the cost of the stolen goods and your previous offences that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.

“You will be given access to rehabilitation programmes in prison and reminded of the support you can receive after your release.”

Inspector Neil Allen, from Kingston police, said: "This was a high value theft, pre-meditated and targeted.

“My officers have worked hard to identify this offender and bring him to justice. This case highlights our ongoing commitment to make Kingston the safest borough in London."