A drug addict caught driving a stolen car bit a police officer after he was arrested.
But Steven Wood has avoided a prison sentence despite social workers warning there's a "very high" risk he'll commit further crimes.
Wood, of Bellshill Road, Motherwell, was instead handed a community payback order at Airdrie Sheriff Court.
The 35-year-old admitted reset of £200, car keys and a vehicle in Main Street, Plains, on June 10, 2020.
Wood also admitted driving the stolen vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs and assaulting a police officer.
Defence agent Nicky Matteo conceded his client is "no stranger to the courts".
The solicitor added: "He's assessed by social workers as being at maximum or very high risk of re-offending.
"That's because of his history of drug abuse that culminated in all of his previous convictions.
"However, there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel.
"He has engaged with a charity and as a result has a stable address and a drugs worker helping him. His addiction, particularly to heroin, has diminished."
Sheriff Fergus Thomson put Wood under supervision for 30 months, banned him from driving for a year and ordered him to do 200 hours of unpaid community work.
The sheriff told him: "Hopefully you'll get the support you need to go in the right direction.
"It's good to know you have already embarked on that journey."
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