A burglar with a ‘truly appalling’ criminal record was given a final chance to kick his drug addiction.

Malcolm Plaisted was told by the judge who gave him a three year community order instead of jailing him that it would be the last chance he was going to get.

The 34-year-old had earlier admitted three house break-ins and asked for a further burglary, two thefts and the fraudulent use of a bank card to be taken into account by the judge.

Ordering the Oxford man comply with a two year drug rehabilitation programme, Judge Ian Pringle QC said: “You have a truly appalling criminal record, starting at a very young age.

“Your prolific offending has continued not just through your teenage life into adulthood, into your 20s and now in your 30s.

“There is obviously a reason behind this offending and it’s your drug addiction.

“You offend so you can acquire goods off other people and sell them no doubt very cheaply and therefore continue to feed your habit.”

The court heard Plaisted had been working with addiction charity Turning Point while on remand at Bullingdon prison. He had a place ready for him at a rehabilitation facility in Yorkshire.

Judge Pringle warned the defendant he should be under no illusion that if he breached the order and returned to using drugs or committing crime he could expect prison sentences of ever-increasing length.

“Take this chance, Mr Plaisted. It’s probably the last one you’re going to get in your adult life,” he said.

Plaisted, of Abingdon Road, Oxford, but who appeared in court via video link from prison, admitted breaking into homes in Ablett Close and Parsons Place in December last year.

He also asked the judge to take into consideration another burglary in Parsons Place, the theft of tobacco at John Radcliffe Hospital on November 22, 2020, the theft of a jewellery box in Nye Bevan Road, Cowley, on December 28 and the fraudulent use of a bank card in Tesco.

At a hearing earlier this year, another judge gave Plaisted a chance to prove he was committed to addressing his drug addiction.

At the end of Thursday’s court hearing, Judge Pringle wished the burglar good luck.

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