A HERO who saved a young girl is now trying to save himself from drug addiction.

Jordan Russell received his 27th conviction for theft at Colchester Magistrates' Court yesterday.

On July 2,  Russell, 33, of Sea Cornflower Way, Jaywick, stole razor blades worth almost £160 from Boots to fund his addiction.

He is already under post-sentence supervision for burglary and theft, but following his latest crime he is trying to change.

Russell is taking part in a drug rehabilitation requirement, attending probation appointments and has promised to change his attitude and carry out the 100 hours unpaid work he was sentenced to for the theft under a new community order.

The court also heard his change in attitude coincided with a selfless act with a copy of the Clacton Gazette presented to magistrates to reveal his best attributes rather than his character flaws.

In it was an article about Russell racing into the sea to save an 11-year-old girl.

At about 5pm, on August 7, he was outside his house when he heard screaming.

He managed to find the girl and save her.

He said: "It took me by surprise. I just went out and got her in. I took my trousers off and jumped in and the water was freezing.

"I’m not a strong swimmer. I haven’t swum for about ten years.

"It took about 20 to 25 minutes to reach the girl as she was well out to sea.

“She couldn’t swim. She was clinging on to her rubber ring for life. I held the rubber ring and pulled them both back ashore.

"When we had got to the beach the coastguard had arrived. I was shaking and cold and suffering shock. She was in hysterics, both crying and screaming."

Russell has a year to complete his work.

He could face jail if he commits and is convicted of any other crimes during the year.

He was also ordered to pay £170 in costs and charges.