A PROLIFIC thief has been given another chance by a court.
District Judge Martin Walker told heroin user Robert Green to prove he was on the "right track" after hearing he had just been released after serving eight days of a 21-day sentence for a previous theft.
The 18-year-old stole four taps from a bake
ry's back yard in Wynyard Road, Hartlepool, on August 1, just days before he was due in court to be dealt with for another theft.
He was jailed for three weeks and has now been dealt with for the tap theft after being released from prison.
Judge Walker gave Green, from Glamis Walk, Hartlepool, a six-month community order after he admitted to stealing from Dean's Bakery.
Zena Begam, prosecuting at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court, said Green has a long history of thefts.
She added: "He jumped over a wall and took four taps that he sold for scrap. His record it is quite a long one."
Neil Taylor, mitigating, said Green's record is down to a long struggle with drugs.
He added: "His main problem is heroin and he has a difficulty in complying with court orders."
Sentencing, Judge Walker said: "His record is a difficulty butat this stage a simple community order of six months with supervision is appropriate.
Turning to Green he added: "I am giving you a chance to prove you are on the right track.
"It is another opportunity but it is up to you to take it."
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