A JUDGE has told a 22-year-old former crack cocaine user who burgled his father's home three times in a week that he is being given a last chance.

John Lamkin was spared a prison sentence after admitting a catalogue of crime against his parents.

But Judge Tom Longbotham said: "If you come back before me and are to be re-sentenced you will go to prison for a long time. This is your last chance."

Robin Shellard, prosecuting, told Swindon crown court that Lamkin broke a rear window to get into the house in Oliver Close, The Prinnels, on November 5 last year.

Once inside he stole mobile phones and part of his father, Nicholas Lamkin's extensive model railway equipment worth a total of £1,410.

When the family returned home that night they discovered the break-in and contacted the police, who recovered a sample of blood. The second break-in took place four days later when Lamkin forced his way through the boarded-up window and stole further items worth more than £600, again leaving blood.

"The following day his father returned home and discovered a large amount of property placed in boxes ready for removal," Mr Shellard said.

He said he telephoned his son and persuaded him to come to the house and when he did he was arrested by the police.

Mr Shellard said that the father was able to trace much of the model railway equipment as he knew the dealer it had been sold to.

Lamkin also stole a credit card belonging to his mother and used it at numerous shops across town to get goods worth a total of £850. The grand total of the son's crimes added up to £2,700 the court was told, but some of it was recovered.

Lamkin, who gave the court an address in Partridge Close, Covingham, admitted three burglaries, theft, deception and asked for 14 further deceptions and a shoplifting offence to be taken into consideration.

At an earlier hearing Lamkin, who had been in custody, was released to go to a bail hostel in Gloucester with a view to living there on a probation order.

Andrew Hobson, defending, said that his client's life fell apart and he became addicted to crack cocaine, which led to the offending.

He said that since being given the chance at the bail hostel Lamkin was drug free, had got a job in McDonalds and his prospects were looking better.

"These are dwelling house burglaries but are distinct from more serious ones; they were not on strangers, not at night, though I accept that in stealing from his father it was a breach of trust," he said.

"I think it is fair to say that his father is not pleased with him."

Sentencing him to a two-year probation order Judge Long-botham said he could only put him on it as he was living at a bail hostel or where directed by the probation service.

He said "I am going to reserve any breach to myself because there comes a time when excuses run out and you, I think, are at that point."

His father, Nicholas Lamkin, told the Evening Advertiser after an earlier hearing that the family was trying to get over it and he wanted his son to leave them alone.

"It has caused us a lot of distress," he said. "It is still as distressing because although we suspected him we had to convince the police it was him."

Jamie Hill