An entrenched drug addict in custody charged with a burglary in which he stole a woman’s ashes today had his sentence adjourned for a probation report.

James Chatterton will almost certainly be jailed after he was sent to Bradford Crown Court for committing the offence in Church Lane, Southowram, on June 5.

He appeared for sentence on a video link from HMP Leeds where he is remanded.

Chatterton, 28, of Carmel Road, Halifax, was sent to the higher court charged with steal-ing property that included the householder’s late mother’s ashes.

He was also accused of raiding a television set, a lap top computer, a cordless phone, a tablet, a sound dock, an iPod, a blood pressure monitor, two bottles of spirits, two watches, a jewellery box and contents, two figurines, keys and prescription medicine.

Chatterton was further committed to the crown court charged with attempting to enter another home in Southowram with intent to steal on the same day and interfering with a motor vehicle.

Judge Colin Burn adjourned the case for six weeks for the preparation of a probation report.

He was told that Chatterton had taken a concoction of drugs that day and did not recall being arrested for the offences.

But a break in his offending meant it was worth investigating if there was any hope of addressing his drug addiction.

Judge Burn said there was an eight-year gap since Chatterton’s last offence of theft.

“It’s a bit of a long shot,” he said but the probation report would at least go to the length of prison sentence that he would serve.

Chatterton will stay behind bars while the report is prepared.