A JUDGE has given a repeat burglar for whom 'other people's houses are a magnet' a chance to prove to him that his latest break-in was 'an isolated incident'.

Alan Aldous, who has more than 23 house burglaries to his name, raided the home while on early release from prison for other break-ins.

But despite the 26-year-old from Royal Wootton Basset facing a mandatory three years, Judge Tim Mousley QC decided it would be unjust to send him back to prison.

Instead he put off passing sentence for six months, saying if he stayed out of trouble and kept to certain condition he would not go back behind bars.

Aldous was jailed for two years in June 2014 after trying to burgle a house just weeks after he was given a chance with a suspended sentence.

He had just finished a series of meetings with the probation service as part of his early release conditions when he committed the latest offence.

Hannah Squire, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how the occupant of a house on St Helen's View, Old Town ,Swindon, returned to find the front door open.

Inside they found a £270 Samsung tablet and cover had been stolen and it was later found that the defendant had carried out the raid.

Aldous, of The Lawns, Royal Wootton Bassett, pleaded guilty to burglary.

Mike Pulsford, defending, said he had represented his client for many years and said he was now growing up.

He said that he now had a job and was receiving counselling help through his GP for his depressive problems and had stable accommodation.

While he was on licence he said he had complied with the conditions imposed by the probation service and was trying to change his ways.

At the hearing in 2014 Mr Pulsford said "He wanted to get back in to work as a handyman, the trouble is other people's houses are a magnet to Mr Aldous."

Putting off passing sentence, the judge said: "I am going to take an exceptional course with you. I am going to give you a chance, I expect you to take it.

"If you don't you will be going to prison for a significant period of time. You committed this mean offence of burglary.

"I have read very carefully the pre-sentence report, particularly the paragraph which summarises what you have been doing other than this burglary and they have said your reaction to supervision was good, attending appointments.

"This took place nine days ager your final supervision meeting. It is really that that has persuaded me just to take an exceptional course.

"Deferring sentence is an exceptional course. I will defer sentence for six months from today and I am reserving it to myself.

"You will come back before me in six months. That six months will be for to demonstrate you have changed your ways and you to demonstrate what you did in terms of this burglary was an isolated incident.

"You must remain in employment, you must retain fixed accommodation and you must make financial reparation within 28 days.

"If you complete those requirements and commit no further offences I will form the view it will be unjust to impose the mandatory minimum."