A TEENAGER who was given a 'once and only chance' when he was spared jail earlier this year after being caught with cannabis and ecstasy has again walked free from court.

Don Waterton was told 'don't mess it up' when he was put on a community order by a judge at Swindon Crown Court in January.

When the 19-year-old restaurant worker turned up for just five of eight appointments with the probation service he was brought back before the court.

Now Judge Tim Mousley QC has said he will allow the order to continue, with three extra days of rehabilitation activity requirement, but warned Winterton again that he will face the prospect of a jail term should he again fail to comply with the order.

He told him "If there is any future breaches of this order you are unlikely to be dealt with in the way you were dealt with today: do you understand what I mean by that?"

Mathew Scott, defending, said his client lost touch with the probation service as he had recently been homeless, but has now moved back in with his mum.

Waterton, formerly of Broadleaze, Upper Seagry, had been stopped by police in July last year and found with eight wraps of MDMA, or ecstasy, and six of cannabis.

He pleaded not guilty to possessing the drugs with intent to supply but admitted simple possession.

The court heard he was 17 at the time he was arrested, having started dabbling in drugs at a young age after struggling at school.

Following a troubled young life, and after being thrown out of home, the earlier hearing was told he had work at a restaurant in Sutton Benger.

Passing sentence then, Recorder Michael Vere-Hodge QC said "This is your once and only chance: don't make a mess of it."

He imposed an 18-month community order with 10 days of rehabilitation and a thinking skills programme.