A BURGLAR lost a good job after a poison pen writer disclosed to his employer that he had a criminal record, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Luke Ashford had convictions for dishonesty and had served a jail sentence but after breaking into a house in Kidderminster to smoke heroin with friends, he landed a job with an electricity supplier and was in line for promotion.

His barrister Michael Conry said his record was then disclosed in a fax by an anonymous sender, leading to the loss of his job.

Ashford was hoping to start a new £300-a-week sales job but had not revealed his convictions to that employer either, admitted Mr Conry.

Recorder James Burbidge QC advised Ashford, of Southall Drive, Hartlebury: "It is best to disclose your background because some people will give you a chance."

He warned the defendant he had escaped a 15-month prison sentence "by the skin of your teeth" because he had stayed out of trouble for a year and had stopped taking drugs.

Ashford, 22, admitted burglary and breaching a conditional discharge. He was ordered to carry out 80 hours community work and pay the raid victim £300 compensation.

Jennifer Josephs, prosecuting, said Ashford got into the house with his pals just before Christmas, 2003. They stole the occupier's Christmas presents after taking heroin. Ashford left his fingerprints at the scene.

Mr Conry said he had "moved away" from offending after quitting heroin for the last 10 months. He had a girlfriend and she had a five-year-old child, for whom he accepted responsibility.

"It's difficult for anyone who has a criminal record to embark on a law-abiding life," said Mr Conry. "He is making efforts and can hold down a job."