A DRUG user was jailed yesterday after ignoring a probation order and continuing to commit offences.

Graham Ridley ignored the probation order which he was given in November last year for a burglary at Hartlepool General Hospital and possession of cannabis and amphetamine sulphate.

Yesterday, Ridley, 30, of Thorpe Street, Easington, appeared at Teesside Crown Court and admitted offences of possession of cannabis and amphetamine sulphate, handling a stolen car, and possession of an air rifle while prohibited because of an earlier prison sentence.

Judge David Bryant jailed Ridley for three years and two months and told him: "If you had set out to demonstrate your complete contempt for the courts you couldn't have achieved a better job. You ignored the probation order completely and you committed the offence of handling not only when on probation but when on bail for further offences.

"It might be said you were working as hard as you could to get yourself locked up."

The judge sentenced Ridley to 12 months for each of the offences of handling, possession of an air rifle while prohibited, and breach of the probation order.

He added two months for possession of cannabis and amphetamine.

Anthony Callaway, for Ridley, said he has been in custody for the past six months.

He said Ridley was a drug user, but had a family, and hoped for a sentence which would allow him to re-equip himself for the future.