by Paul Hooper

When Father Mark White saw a light appear in his religious retreat...he knew it wasn’t a message from above!

So the priest went to investigate and discovered a drug addict breaking the eighth commandment...thou shalt not steal!

John Couchman, 26, had been caught red-handed swiping £140 from Father White’s wallet...and his £300 iPod.

The junkie fled but was caught near the retreat in Sea Street, Herne Bay – and later confessed he had tried 24 other houses in Pier Avenue and Sandown Drive looking for money to feed his habit.

Couchman, who has no fixed address, admitted burglary and asked for another 24 offences to be considered.

Canterbury Crown Court heard the break in happened in April this year when he had been ringing the doorbell of the retreat earlier in the evening.

Prosecutor Sonal Sodha said Father White had been awoken by a light which had been switched on in his office.

“When he walked into the office he saw a male standing there, which was Couchman who he had recognised because he had been coming to the religious retreat for hot food and coffee.

“Couchman ran out of the office but was found across the gardens. Father White then discovered that £140 had been taken from his wallet along with the iPod, “ she added.

Couchman, who has made 25 court appearances for 39 offences, was jailed for 18 months.

Philip Rowley, defending, said Couchman had been a drug addict since he was 11 but was now determined to quit his habit and move away from East Kent after his release from prison.

“He regrets what he has done and realises that if he carries on he is at risk of dying and now plans to do something about his drug habit.”

Judge Nigel Van Der Bijl told him that stealing from a retreat where he had been given food and hot drinks “was a bit like stealing from a charity box”.