A MAN released from prison less than six months ago was warned he was in danger of going back - after admitting taking a bike and crashing it through a shop window.

Lionel Munt, 24, who finished a sentence in October, appeared before Harrogate magistrates yesterday, and admitted trying to steal a bike, and two counts of using threatening behaviour.

He asked for offences of assault and damage to be taken into consideration.

Presiding magistrate Vivien Crabb deferred sentence until June 5.

She warned Munt, of Cheltenham Mount, Harrogate, that he had to stay out of trouble, prove he could keep his job, working for the National Trust on its Studley Royal Estate, near Ripon, and curb his drinking.

Mrs Crabb said: "You are in a wobbly situation, but there are positive things. Don't spoil it or you are in danger of going back to prison."

Caroline Midgley, prosecuting, said Munt had tried to ride off on a bike he picked off the ground while a group of youths were talking near Harrogate's One Arch railway bridge.

He had crashed it when its owner gave chase, and had gone through a shop window causing £395 worth of damage.

Geoffey Rogers, mitigating, said Munt had a job for the first time in years, and had found a home away from his father with whom he had a tempestuous relationship.

He had also stopped drinking to excess.