A BURGLAR who escaped prison by being put on an anti-drugs scheme soon reverted to his old ways, a court heard.

Scott Harrington, 25, pleaded guilty to burglary at Teesside Crown Court in March. But rather than impose a custodial sentence, Judge David Bryan placed him under a drug treatment and testing order.

The measure, which had never been taken in the area before, involved Harrington, of Denby Road, Billingham, having to attend a programme in Middlesbrough five days a week.

He was to be tested twice every 28 days over the course of a year, and was threatened with jail if he showed positive for drugs.

But yesterday, he was back before Judge Bryan after slipping back into his addiction.

The court heard that Harrington had initially received a substantial amount of money, which he claimed to have spent on clothes and clearing debts, and that he was determined to stick to the programme, being prescribed methadone and delivering 12 otherwise drug-free test results.

But within a short time, he was back on drugs, and stealing to finance his habit.

Stephen Constantine, for Harrington, who was charged with breaching an order, three counts of theft, burglary and assault, said: "He has voiced regret at not having taken the opportunity open to him, and relief over being removed from a situation in which he believes he was out of control.

"He did the best he was able too. Regrettably, it wasn't good enough."

Imposing a two-year prison sentence, Judge Bryan said: "You were consistently released on bail by a benevolent police force for reasons I don't understand.

"It's perfectly clear that you have not taken advantage of the drug treatment and testing order, that you have continued to take drugs and financed that by criminal activities.

"The only way to combat that is by locking you up for a considerable length of time."