A “DESPICABLE” couple who stole 17 poppy appeal tins to fund their £100 a day drug habit have avoided jail.

Callous Roma Taylor, 51, of Cedar Avenue, Tiptree, and Anthony Archer, 54, of Ongar Road, Writtle, were described by their own defence solicitor as “the lowest of the low” moments before they walked free from Southend Crown Court today.

The couple had previously admitted stealing the 17 tins between October 28 and November 8 last year in a 12-day crime spree across shops in Colchester, Tiptree, Chelmsford and Maldon.

But they were spared jail when Recorder Martyn Royall took pity on the heroin and crack addicts, handing them a 15-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

He said it was due to their early guilty pleas and their mitigating circumstances.

See Monday's Gazette for the full story and reaction.