A MAN given a chance after confessing to an £8,000 burglary at Wolverley, near Kidderminster, has been jailed for 12 months at Worcester Crown Court.

David Russell was given his freedom when he first appeared before the court in July last year and was made the subject of a drug treatment and testing order.

Prosecutor Tim Sapwell said, however, that Russell had not complied with the order and failed to turn up for appointments.

Russell, 32, of Barwell Road, Bordesley Green, Birmingham, had initially been arrested for the break-in at an isolated bungalow in Kingsford Lane, Wolverley, in August, 2003. Jewellery and musical equipment had been taken.

Police arrested Russell after his DNA was found on a pair of socks left at the scene.

He initially denied that the socks were his but eventually pleaded guilty to the burglary.

Martin Butterworth, defending, said Russell had been in emotional turmoil because his partner had suffered a miscarriage and this caused him to miss appointments.

Judge Andrew Geddes said that Russell, who had 35 previous convictions, had been fortunate to receive the drug treatment and testing order in the first place.