A MANIC driver who was given the chance of help to curb his drug problem rather than a prison sentence was put behind bars yesterday.

Stephen Birdsall, 31, smashed into a police car before shunting another motorist off the road after he was spotted shoplifting in Asda at the Galleries, in Washington, in November 2000.

Amazingly no one was seriously hurt or killed and the sentencing judge at Newcastle Crown Court agreed to place Birdsall on probation, alongside a drug treatment and testing order, in an effort to help him turn his back on crime.

But the same court heard yesterday that within six months he had burgled £1,200 worth of tools from the garage of a house in Boldon Colliery and tried to break into two sheds in Gateshead. He also admitted stealing £4.60 from an Oxfam shop in Gateshead.

As part of the drug treatment and testing order he was meant to be staying at a Middlesbrough drug rehabilitation centre, but the court heard he stayed for just over two months before fleeing.

Defence barrister Paul Currer said that he had left the area to stay with his churchgoing aunt and uncle who helped him get him off drugs.

Birdsall, now of Hatfield, Hertfordshire, was jailed for nine months, but must serve an outstanding 102 days from a previous sentence for burglary first.

He pleaded guilty to burglary with intent, attempted burglary, theft, absconding, and possession of small amounts of cannabis and amphetamine.