A shameless thief who claimed his human rights were breached after his picture was published in a newspaper has admitted he was wrong.

Cleaner Charlie Cooper launched a scathing attack and demanded compensation after it was reported he pawned £1,500 of stolen jewellery to buy drink and drugs.

His self-pity even earned him an embarrassing dressing down from his own mother.

But now the humiliated 20-year-old has backtracked - claiming he was not thinking straight and admitting he should not have played the victim.

"I was spending about £300 a month on drugs and drinking heavily every other day. It was getting out of hand..." - thief Charlie Cooper

He said: "I don't actually believe my human rights were breached. I just saw my picture was in the paper and wasn't thinking straight. It was a spur of the moment decision and I regret saying what I did.

"I know I'm not the victim. I was just angry and now realise the public do have a right to know what happens in court."

Cooper, of Suffolk Road, Canterbury, was working for his stepfather and cleaning a house in Whitstable when he spotted the jewellery, which belonged to Vandra Henderson.

He said his decision to steal the sentimental items was triggered by his drug addiction.

He said: "At the time I had a really bad drug problem. I was spending about £300 a month on drugs and drinking heavily every other day. It was getting out of hand.

"MDMA was a big problem for me. It all happened so quick. I was 19, went to a party, liked it and carried on doing it. It was downhill from there.

"I had no money - I saw the opportunity there and I went for it.

"I had only been cleaning her house for three or four weeks. I spoke to her and she was a really nice lady, which made me regret what I did so much more."

Cooper pawned his stash at a jewellers in Margate and spent the money on his illicit lifestyle.

He said: "I only got £400 for it, so it wasn't really worth it.

"I spent it on drink, drugs and cigarettes, but did buy some useful things, like a kettle for a friend. She’s not my friend anymore."

After admitting the theft, Cooper was ordered to pay Mrs Henderson £1,516 compensation.

He said: "She shouldn't have to wait for the money and I want to pay her back as quickly as possible. I know I'm not going to be able to replace the sentimental value, though.

"I would really like to say sorry to her for what I did. I am really sorry, genuinely."

Cooper's mother Teresa won plaudits after giving her son a ticking off after he whinged about his picture being used – sparking threats from her son to block her on Facebook.

But Cooper now accepts he was in the wrong.

He said: "I have to respect what she said because she was talking sense.

"I fell out with her because of the theft and my stepdad lost his cleaning contract with Mrs Henderson, and will probably lose more money because of me, which makes me feel like crap.

"They've lost a lot of money because of my actions. I just wish I'd never done what I did.

"When I was interviewed about the theft I knew I had to admit everything, accept my punishment and turn my life around. I haven't touched a drink or drugs for six months now.

"Before, I've tried to run away from everything but now I want to face up to what I've done and move on with my life."