An Ipswich man who stole a bank card and a mobile phone from his mother will be sentenced next month after a pre-sentence report has been prepared on him.

Kim Barnett, 29, of Pineview Road, Ipswich, was originally charged with robbery and following his not guilty plea a trial was due to start st Ipswich Crown Court today (Wednesday).

However before the trial got underway Barnett pleaded guilty to a less serious alternative charge of theft and that plea was accepted by the prosecution.

Recorder Frank Burton QC adjourned sentence until February 7 to allow the probation service to prepare a pre-sentence report on Barnett

He warned Barnett that all sentencing options would be open to the court, including custody, at the sentencing hearing.

However, he said the probation report would look at alternatives to custody, including a drug rehabilitation order, in order that Barnett could be dealt with in the most appropriate way.

Hugh Vass, prosecuting, described the case as “sad” as it involved Barnet’s mother and said Barnett had mental health and addiction problems.